. The former child actor was best known for his Emmy-winning role as the cockatoo-owning undercover cop in the popular 1970s TV series “Baretta” and, more infamously, for his trial following the 2001 murder of his wife. He was 89.These two aspects of Blake’s legacy were inseparable in some ways, and the personal turmoil that made the latter at least circumstantially plausible fueled his acting.
“Baretta” came along when Blake was near the top of his acting game. ABC was in talks with the actor when the acclaimed series “Toma” ran from 1973-74. That gritty series based on the real-life experiences of an unconventional undercover cop starred Tony Musante. According to Cannell, Musante declined to continue after the first season, and the network was in search of a similar show.
Born Michael Gubitosi in Nutley, N.J., Blake came from a family of performers. At a young age, he appeared along his siblings in his parents’ vaudeville troupe. When he was a young child, his parents moved the family to Los Angeles, where he and his siblings began working as movie extras. In the 1960s, he moved into more prominent roles, such as in “PT 109” , starring Cliff Robertson and Robert Culp, and in 1965 religious epic “The Greatest Story Ever Told.” He also continued steady work in TV, appearing in such series as “Wagon Train,” “Ben Casey” and “Rawhide.”
In 1975, the actor began his run as the title character in “Baretta,” a street-smart undercover cop who lived with a cockatoo named Fred. The show cracked the top 10 during the 1976-77 season before its cancellation in 1978.
He was also one of the Little Rascals. He was a great actor!
michelle_byoung His acquittal for murdering his wife was a miscarriage of justice. As the civil suit results show, the evidence was there.
With the passing of Blake there is now only 1 remaining Little Rascal: Sidney Kibrick, who played 'Woim' (the sidekick of the bully 'Butch').
Before he was Robert Blake, he was Mickey Gubitosi (his real name) in Our Gang/Little Rascals movies
Robert Blake who killed his wife has died.
Treasure of the Sierra Madre, Our Gang and Beretta I enjoyed. RIP.
Oh darn. Anyway...
His most memorable role, murdering his wife & leaving his child without her mom
Dammit!
VinceEckert
Blake was also known for his role in Richard Brooks’ 1967 adaptation of Truman Capote’s novel-as-reportage “In Cold Blood,” in which Blake and Scott Wilson played the young killers of an entire Kansas family.
I thought he was 💀
Rest in piss you miserable, murderous prick.
His most memorable role
Had such a crush on Robert Blake as a teen. Well, at least on Baretta. Sad news.
💔 RIP Robert Blake.
You don’t say whether he was found guilty or innocent. Please explain. I’d love to hear what happened
Our Gang aka The Little Rascals.
Killed his wife and got away with it
I was a huge fan of that show. And of him. Rest in Peace.
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