Bannout is considered by most as the last of the champions from the golden era of bodybuilding, where the emphasis was on shape and balance rather than mass.

The extreme muscular definition that he achieved in his lower back region portrayed the shape of a "Lebanese Cedar" or "Christmas Tree" when posing on stage.

After placing sixth at the 1984 Olympia, the IFBB suspended him for three years as punishment for his participation at the World Championship competition of a rival federation, the WABBA.

"[10] Bannout openly criticizes the IFBB during the years he competed, in that he felt that he had been "robbed" of winning in other events and that there were significant political undertones to selection of winners at the Mr. Olympia.

Today, Bannout lives in Los Angeles, California, with his wife, Randa, and his three children, Lea, Jesse, Sergio.