Robert Blake born Michael James Vincenzo Gubitosi was an award American actor known for his roles in the 1967 film In Cold Blood and the 1970s U.S. television series Baretta. He was also well known for being tried and acquitted in the killing of his wife. Blake was a child actor who appeared in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's Our Gang (Little Rascals) short film series from 1939 to 1944 with a lead role in the final years of the show. He was honored by the Young Artist Foundation with its Former Child St... moreRobert Blake born Michael James Vincenzo Gubitosi was an award American actor known for his roles in the 1967 film In Cold Blood and the 1970s U.S. television series Baretta. He was also well known for being tried and acquitted in the killing of his wife. Blake was a child actor who appeared in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's Our Gang (Little Rascals) short film series from 1939 to 1944 with a lead role in the final years of the show. He was honored by the Young Artist Foundation with its Former Child Star Lifetime Achievement Award for his role in Our Gang. As an adult he took a break from acting to serve in the United States in the 1950s and after his service returned to acting in both television and movie roles. He had many television roles as an adult like In Cold Blood, Tell Them Willie Boy Is Here, Of Mice and Men, Electra Glide in Blue and Baretta. Blake continued acting through the 1980s and 1990s, mostly in television, in such roles. He was married twice and in 2001 he was accused of murdering his second wife Bonnie Lee Bakley. He was tried and acquitted in 2005. However Bakley's three children filed a civil suit against Blake and was found liable for the wrongful death of his wife and was ordered to pay $30 million which bankrupted him.
