Controversial actor Robert Blake (born Michael James Gubitosi) died today in Los Angeles of a heart condition, his cousin Noreen Austin announced. He was 89 years old.
Blake’s long career spans from a youth role on Our Gang to film and television.
Over the course of more than 60 years in Hollywood, Blake starred in such classics as ‘The Treasure of the Sierra Madre’ (1948) opposite Humphrey Bogart, ‘In Cold Blood’ (1967) with John Forsythe and a series with the Studio Westerns set in the 1940s used the stage name “Bobby Blake”. His last film role was in Lost Highway (1997), directed by David Lynch.
On television, Blake is best known for his role as undercover New York detective Tony Baretta on Baretta, which aired on ABC for four seasons from 1975 to 1978. His performance in the crime drama earned him a 1977 Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series.
“Baretta” was created by prolific TV writer/creator Stephen J. Cannell. On television, fans also saw Blake on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, where he was a recurring guest, appearing in hilarious skits with longtime friend Johnny Carson and other well-known celebrities.
Source: Deadline
Bernice Bonaparte is an author and entertainment journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a passion for pop culture and a talent for staying up-to-date on the latest entertainment news, Bernice has become a trusted source for information on the entertainment industry.
