RIP: Robert Blake

Robert Blake, the actor, writer and producer, died on March 9, 2023, from heart disease.  He was 89.  Robert Blake was born Michael James Vincenzo Gubitosi.  In many of his early roles he was billed as Mickey Gubitosi.

Robert Blake began acting professionally when he was just a child.  He was cast in 40 of The Little Rascals/Our Gang shorts.  In 1942, he took the stage name Bobby Blake.  Mr. Blake played Little Beaver in 23 films in The Red Ryder franchise.  As a child Robert Blake also appeared in The Big Noise with Laurel and Hardy and The Treasure of Sierra Madre with Humphrey Bogart.

Robert Blake said that his childhood was an unhappy one.  He was sexually and physically abused by his parents. At school he was bullied and got into many fights.  At one point he ran away from home.  Robert Blake was drafted into the Army.  When he got out he couldn’t find work and developed a drug addiction.  He focused on acting classes, and got his life back on track.  He would work on television and in feature films for the remainder of his career.

Some of Robert Blake’s feature film appearances include: The Big Noise; The Horn Blows at Midnight; The Treasure of Sierra Madre; Pork Chop Hill; PT 109; The Greatest Story Ever Told; This Property is Condemned; In Cold Blood; Tell Them Willie Boy is Here; Electra Glide in Blue; Coast to Coast, Money Train and Lost Highway.

Some of Robert Blake’s television appearances include: The Cisco Kid (2 episodes); The Roy Rogers Show; Broken Arrow (3 episodes); One Step Beyond; Bat Masterson; Naked City (2 episodes); Wagon Train; Laramie; Ben Casey; Have Gun – Will Travel (3 episodes); The Richard Boone Show (25 episodes); Rawhide (2 episodes); The FBI (2 episodes); Baretta (82 episodes); Of Mice and Men; Blood Feud and Hell Town (tv movie and 9 episodes) and Heart of a Champion.

Robert Blake was nominated for four Primetime Emmy Awards as an Outstanding Lead Actor, winning in 1975 for his role in Baretta.

Sadly in 1999, Blake met and became involved with Bonnie Lee Blakely.  She had nine previous marriages.  Robert Blake became her tenth husband the following year.  On May 4, 2001, the couple went to dinner. As they prepared to leave, Mr. Blake said that he realized he accidentally left his pistol in the restaurant.  He went in to get it and Ms. Blakely waited in the car.  When he returned to the vehicle, Ms. Blakely was dead, the result of a gunshot to the head.  On April 22, 2002, Blake was charged for the murder of Ms. Blakely.  On March 16, 2005, Blake was found not guilty of murder.  Ms. Blakely’s children sued in civil court and won a judgment of $30 million, which was later reduced to $15 million.  After this Robert Blake filed for bankruptcy and stayed out of the public eye for the remainder of his life.

I was a major Robert Blake fan.  My favorite of his many roles was as Baretta.  He made the series must-see tv.  He is most famous for his role in Cold Blood, but fans shouldn’t sleep on Electra Glide in Blue.  Any time Robert Blake was a guest on a tv talk show, you could be sure it was worth a view.  Mr. Blake was witty, and projected a this is me, this is what you get vibe.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Robert Blake’s family, friends and fans.