Robert Blake, the Emmy Award-winning actor whose extensive career in film and television was overshadowed by a notorious murder trial, has died at the age of 89.
His daughter, Delinah Blake Hurwitz, confirmed that her father passed away peacefully on Thursday, surrounded by family. The actor, known for his role in the 1970s crime series “Baretta,” died in Los Angeles from heart disease, according to his niece, Noreen Austin, who released an obituary notice through a representative.
Blake’s acting journey spanned more than six decades, beginning in his early childhood. Despite his professional achievements, his public image became inextricably linked to the 2001 shooting death of his second wife, Bonny Lee Bakley.
He was acquitted of murder charges in the criminal proceedings in 2005, but later faced a civil wrongful death lawsuit, in which he was found liable for Bakley’s death.
Born Michael Gubitosi on September 18, 1933, in Nutley, New Jersey, Blake was the third child of Giacomo Gubitosi, an Italian immigrant, and Elizabeth Cafone, an Italian American. His parents were intent on their three children succeeding in show business, leading to an early start in performing.
At the tender age of two, Blake began performing with his brother and sister in a family vaudeville act known as “The Three Little Hillbillies.” The family later moved to Los Angeles, where his mother found work for the children as movie extras.
It was during this time that young Mickey Gubitosi was discovered by producers and cast in the popular “Our Gang” movie shorts. He appeared in the series, also known as “The Little Rascals,” from 1939 to 1944, initially under his birth name, and later as “Bobby Blake.”
During an appearance on “The Joan Rivers Show” in the early 1990s, Blake recounted how he secured a speaking role in “Our Gang.” He noted that he observed how getting in front of the camera and speaking drew attention, and when a child struggled with a line, he exclaimed, “Man, I can say that! I can say that!”
Blake continued his acting career as Bobby Blake, transitioning into various films and television series, particularly Westerns. These included notable appearances in “Have Gun – Will Travel” from 1960 to 1962, “Wagon Train” in 1961, and “Rawhide” in 1965.
His early film credits included the 1942 film “Mokey,” where he played Daniel ‘Mokey’ Delano, a troubled young boy. He also appeared in the 1948 classic “Treasure of the Sierra Madre,” which co-starred the legendary actor Humphrey Bogart.
Blake’s true breakthrough into serious adult roles came in 1967 with the film “In Cold Blood.” In this Oscar-nominated adaptation of Truman Capote’s 1965 non-fiction novel, Blake garnered critical acclaim for his portrayal of Perry Smith.
Smith was one of the two men, alongside Richard Hickock, responsible for the 1959 murder of a family in Holcomb, Kansas, during a burglary. The film solidified Blake’s reputation as a talented dramatic actor.
Following his compelling performance as a criminal, Blake transitioned to playing a law enforcement officer in the 1970s television crime series “Baretta.” The show, which premiered in 1975, aired for four seasons on ABC until 1978.
In “Baretta,” Blake played the title character, Tony Baretta, a New York City undercover detective. His compelling performance earned him a Best Actor Emmy Award in 1975 and a Golden Globe, further cementing his status as a leading television star.
However, Blake later confessed to “20/20” in 2019 that his relentless pursuit of perfectionism made him unable to fully enjoy the role. He described how he constantly pushed for every script, direction, and casting choice to be superior, stating, “I drove myself crazy.”
Beyond “Baretta,” Blake’s notable television credits included a frequent role as a panelist on “Hollywood Squares” in the early to mid-1970s and numerous guest appearances on “The Tonight Show.” His diverse resume also included the 1981 TV movie “Of Mice and Men.”
In 1995, he appeared in the film “Money Train” alongside Woody Harrelson and Jennifer Lopez. He also earned another Emmy in 1993 for his portrayal of the title character in “Judgment Day: The John List Story,” playing a soft-spoken, churchgoing man who murdered his wife and three children, a role also based on a true crime.
In 1985, Blake starred in and created the short-lived NBC series “Hell Town,” which centered on a priest heading a church on the East Side of Los Angeles. Blake shared with “20/20” that the demanding workload of the series proved too overwhelming.
He recalled experiencing a nervous breakdown while on camera, ultimately leading him to walk off the set and the show. Blake admitted to being “crazy” during that period, believing he was “doing God’s work.”
Blake’s troubled self-image and personal struggles were deeply rooted in his childhood. In the same “20/20” interview, Blake claimed that his parents harbored animosity towards him from before his birth.
