Robert Blake, the celebrated Emmy Award-winning actor renowned for his extensive career in film and television, has passed away at the age of 89, his life marked by both professional acclaim and the shadow of a high-profile murder trial.
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 career, which began in his formative years and spanned over six decades, was profoundly impacted by the 2001 shooting death of his second wife, Bonny Lee Bakley, an event that became inextricably linked to his public persona despite his professional accomplishments.
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, Robert Blake was the third child of Italian immigrants Giacomo Gubitosi and Elizabeth Cafone, whose ambition for their children’s success in show business paved the way for Blake’s early foray into performing.
Blake’s journey into the entertainment world commenced at the young age of two, performing with his siblings in a vaudeville act called “The Three Little Hillbillies,” a venture that eventually led the family to Los Angeles where his mother secured roles for them as movie extras.
During his childhood, the budding talent Mickey Gubitosi caught the eye of producers, leading to his casting in the beloved “Our Gang” movie shorts, also known as “The Little Rascals,” where he appeared from 1939 to 1944, first as Mickey Gubitosi 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!”
Continuing his acting career as Bobby Blake, he gracefully transitioned into numerous films and television series, particularly excelling in the Western genre with memorable roles in shows like “Have Gun – Will Travel” (1960-1962), “Wagon Train” (1961), and “Rawhide” (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.
After delivering a powerful performance as a criminal, Blake impressively shifted gears to portray a dedicated law enforcement officer in the iconic 1970s television crime series “Baretta,” which captivated audiences for four seasons on ABC from 1975 to 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.
Despite the show’s success, Blake later confided in a 2019 “20/20” interview that his own relentless pursuit of perfectionism often prevented him from fully appreciating the role, revealing how he would “drive myself crazy” by demanding excellence in every script, direction, and casting decision.
Beyond his signature role in “Baretta,” Blake’s television career flourished with recurring appearances on “Hollywood Squares” in the early to mid-1970s and multiple guest spots on “The Tonight Show,” further showcasing his versatility, and he also starred in 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 deep-seated personal struggles and a troubled self-image appeared to stem from his childhood experiences, as he shared in the same “20/20” interview that his parents allegedly harbored animosity towards him even before his birth, hinting at the complex family dynamics that may have shaped him.
