Name | |
Born | Michael James Gubitosi September 18, 1933 Nutley, New Jersey, U.S. |
Died | March 9, 2023 (aged 89)
Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
Other names | Bobby Blake, Lyman P. Docker,Mickey Gubitosi |
Occupation | Actor |
Years active | 1939–1997 |
Spouses | Sondra Kerr (m. 1961; div. 1983)
Bonny Lee Bakley (m. 2000; died 2001) ·Pamela Hudak (m. 2017; div. 2019) |
Children | 3 |
Website | robertbobbyblake.com |
Net Worth | -$3 Million Dollar (2023) |
Robert Blake is an American actor, best known for his role as the lead character in the popular 1970s TV show, Baretta. Blake’s career in Hollywood spans over five decades and includes numerous film and television appearances. However, he has also been surrounded by controversy throughout his life, particularly in relation to the murder of his wife, Bonnie Lee Bakley.
Early Life and Career
Robert Blake was born Michael James Gubitosi on September 18, 1933, in Nutley, New Jersey. He was the son of Italian immigrants, and his father worked as a die setter for a manufacturing company. Blake began his acting career at the age of five, performing in vaudeville acts and radio dramas.
In 1942, Blake made his film debut in MGM’s “Divorce in the Family.” He continued to appear in a number of films throughout the 1940s and 1950s, including “The Treasure of the Sierra Madre” (1948) and “In Cold Blood” (1967).
In the 1950s, Blake transitioned to television, appearing in numerous TV shows, including “The Lone Ranger,” “Gunsmoke,” and “The Mickey Mouse Club.” He also had a recurring role on the popular show “Our Gang” (also known as “The Little Rascals”) as the character Mickey.
In 1975, Blake landed the lead role in the TV show “Baretta.” The show was a hit and ran for four seasons, cementing Blake’s status as a TV star. He won an Emmy Award for his performance on the show in 1976.
Controversy and Tragedy
In 2001, Robert Blake’s life took a dramatic turn when his wife, Bonnie Lee Bakley, was shot and killed in a car outside a restaurant in Los Angeles. Blake was later arrested and charged with her murder, but he maintained his innocence.
The case was complicated by Bakley’s past, which included a history of scams and cons. She had reportedly been involved with numerous men and was known for her attempts to exploit them for money. Blake’s defense team argued that Bakley had many enemies and that any number of people could have been responsible for her murder.
Despite these claims, Blake was eventually found guilty of second-degree murder and was sentenced to 29 years to life in prison. He spent several years in prison before being released on bail in 2005.
Personal Life
Robert Blake has been married twice. His first marriage, to actress Sondra Kerr, ended in divorce in 1983. He then married Bonnie Lee Bakley, who was 29 years his junior, in 2000.
Blake has four children, two from each of his marriages. His daughter, Delinah, from his first marriage, died of pneumonia at the age of 19 in 2000.
In addition to his acting career, Blake was also a songwriter and recorded several albums. He was a devout Catholic and often spoke publicly about his faith.
Robert Blake Net Worth
As of my knowledge cutoff of September 2021, the estimated net worth of Robert Blake is around $1 million. However, it’s important to note that Blake’s legal troubles and time spent in prison may have had an impact on his financial situation. Additionally, net worth estimates can vary widely depending on the source and the criteria used to calculate them.
Is Robert Blake still alive
Robert Blake no alive he died on 9 March 2023, Los Angeles, California, United States
Robert Blake family
Robert Blake has been married three times and has several children. Here is some information about his family:
- Wife – Robert Blake’s first wife was Sondra Blake, whom he married in 1961. They divorced in 1983. Blake’s second wife was Bonnie Lee Bakley, whom he married in 2000. She was later murdered, and Blake was eventually found guilty of her murder. Blake’s third wife is Pamela Hudak, whom he married in 2017.
- Children – Robert Blake has two children from his first marriage to Sondra Blake, a daughter named Delinah and a son named Noah. He also has a daughter named Rosie, whom he had with his second wife Bonnie Lee Bakley.
- Family Background – Robert Blake was born into a family of Italian immigrants. His father, Giacomo Gubitosi, was a die-maker, and his mother, Elizabeth Cafone, was a seamstress. Blake grew up in New Jersey and was the youngest of three siblings.
Despite his personal and legal troubles, Blake remains close to his family and has spoken publicly about his love for his children and grandchildren.
Was Robert Blake a little rascal
Yes, Robert Blake was a child actor who appeared in the “Our Gang” comedy film series, which is also known as “The Little Rascals.” Blake appeared in several “Our Gang” films between 1939 and 1944, playing the role of Mickey, a mischievous and energetic little boy who often got into trouble. Blake’s early success as a child actor helped launch his career in Hollywood, and he went on to have a long and prolific career as an adult actor.
Conclusion
Robert Blake’s life and career have been marked by both success and controversy. His early career in Hollywood was marked by numerous film and television appearances, and his role in “Baretta” made him a household name. However, his later years were marred by the tragic death of his wife and his subsequent conviction for her murder.
Despite the controversy surrounding him, Blake remains a talented actor with a lasting legacy in Hollywood. His work on “Baretta” and in numerous other films and TV shows has left a mark on the entertainment industry, and his contributions will not soon be forgotten.
Robert blake Facts
Here are some interesting facts about Robert Blake:
- Robert Blake was born Michael James Gubitosi on September 18, 1933, in Nutley, New Jersey.
- He began his acting career at the age of five, performing in vaudeville acts and radio dramas.
- Blake made his film debut in MGM’s “Divorce in the Family” in 1942, when he was just nine years old.
- He is best known for his role as the lead character in the popular 1970s TV show, “Baretta.”
- Blake won an Emmy Award for his performance on “Baretta” in 1976.
- In 2001, his wife, Bonnie Lee Bakley, was shot and killed in a car outside a restaurant in Los Angeles. Blake was later arrested and charged with her murder.
- Blake was eventually found guilty of second-degree murder and was sentenced to 29 years to life in prison. He spent several years in prison before being released on bail in 2005.
- Despite his legal troubles, Blake remains a talented actor with a lasting legacy in Hollywood. He has appeared in numerous films and TV shows throughout his career.
- In addition to his acting career, Blake was also a songwriter and recorded several albums.
- Blake is a devout Catholic and often speaks publicly about his faith.
Robert blake FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about Robert Blake:
- What is Robert Blake’s real name?
- Robert Blake was born Michael James Gubitosi.
- What is Robert Blake famous for?
- Blake is best known for his role as the lead character in the popular 1970s TV show, “Baretta.”
- When was Robert Blake born?
- Blake was born on September 18, 1933.
- Is Robert Blake still alive?
- As of my knowledge cutoff of September 2021, Robert Blake was still alive.
- What happened to Robert Blake’s wife?
- Blake’s wife, Bonnie Lee Bakley, was shot and killed in a car outside a restaurant in Los Angeles in 2001.
- Was Robert Blake convicted of murder?
- Yes, Blake was eventually found guilty of second-degree murder in relation to the death of his wife and was sentenced to 29 years to life in prison.
- What other movies and TV shows has Robert Blake appeared in?
- Blake has appeared in numerous films and TV shows throughout his career, including “In Cold Blood,” “Electra Glide in Blue,” “Money Train,” “Lost Highway,” “Little House on the Prairie,” and “The Love Boat,” among others.
- Is Robert Blake a songwriter?
- Yes, in addition to his acting career, Blake was also a songwriter and recorded several albums.
- What religion does Robert Blake practice?
- Blake is a devout Catholic and often speaks publicly about his faith.
- What is Robert Blake’s net worth?
- As of my knowledge cutoff of September 2021, Robert Blake’s estimated net worth is around $1 million.