‘Baretta,’ ‘In Cold Blood’ Star Robert Blake Dies At 89

Robert Blake, the actor best known for his part in the film’s opening scene “In Cold Blood” Later on, in the TV hit “Baretta” At the age of 89, he is deceased.

Blake’s niece blamed heart disease for his death.

Blake was born Michael James Gubitosi “passed away peacefully surrounded by family by his side in Los Angeles,” His representative stated.

Blake was born in 1933 and by the age of three years old was performing in New Jersey with his siblings. “The Three Little Hillbillies.” Blake’s family moved to Los Angeles in order to be near his children, who were then 4 years old. Blake has appeared in movies as far back 1939. “Bridal Suite,” Starred in then “Our Gang.”

Blake claimed in later years that his parents abuse him. He was locked up in a closet, forced to eat from the ground, and was sometimes even made to drink off the floor. Blake fled home at fourteen. He joined the U.S. Army as a soldier in 1950. Four years after he left, he was depressed and began using and selling drugs.

After he graduated from Jeff Corey’s acting course, Corey cast him in several TV shows. He finally made his stardom with the 1967 film. “In Cold Blood” Perry Smith was his brutal murderer.

Blake was first assigned to the role of Tony Baretta, a police detective. This role lasted until 1978, when Blake won an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in Drama Series.

Blake married Sondra Kerr, an actress, in 1961. Their marriage lasted 22-years and they had two children. He married Bonny Lea Bakley, who was a former student of his. reportedly been married nine times previously

Blake and Bakley went out to dinner at Vitello’s Italian Restaurant in Studio City on May 4, 2001. Bakley was found dead in their car, with two gunshot wounds. Blake said that they had had dinner and left their car, but that he went back to the restaurant to retrieve the gun.

Blake was arrested almost one year later. He pleaded not guilty as the case became national news.

Blake was in prison for months before being released on bail. Blake took the murder weapon with him to the restaurant on the night of the crime, and it was later found in a dumpster.

Blake was released on March 16, 2005. Bakley was acquitted by his children months later. The civil jury ordered Blake $30 million to Bakley’s children.

“From ‘Baretta,’ ‘In Cold Blood’ Star Robert Blake Dies At 89“

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