Michael Sarrazin, Star of The Gumball Rally, Dead at 70

Probably not as famous as some of his co-workers who have starred in car-related movies, Canadian actor Michael Sarrazin left his mark on the industry by taking on the role of Michael Bannon in the 1976 car movie classic The Gumball Rally. A role that brought him a fair share of fame and one which will forever be remembered now that he passed away.

The actor died last week in Montreal, after what the press described as being a “brief fight with cancer.” Additional details were not made public by his family, who is said to have stood by him until his last moments.

“Michael was an actor of great sensitivity and unparalleled grace. He was also an impeccable raconteur, valued client and a great friend. It is a very great loss,” said Michael Oscars, Sarrazin's agent.

The Canadian actor starred in several other films, including Sydney Pollack’s 1969 film They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?, a motion picture that received no less than nine Academy Awards nominations. He also played William Popper in the original (and not related to the 2006 movie) The Pursuit of Happiness.

In The Gumball Rally, Sarrazin was one of the people who raced in the secret and illegal cross country road race wearing the same name. As some have described it, the movie is “a hilarious coast-to-coast, 180 mile-an-hour, go-for-broke, outrageous road race with the world's most expensive cars. “

Born Jacques Michel Andre Sarrazin on May 22, 1940, in Quebec City, Sarrazin leaves behind two daughters, Catherine and Michelle.