Robert Blake Acquited of Wife's death after His Own
Robert Blake, a child actor who found fame in movies and TV shows but whose legacy was tarnished by suspicion over the unsolved murder of his second wife, has died at age 89.
A statement sent to USA TODAY on behalf of his niece, Noreen Austin, said Blake died from heart disease on Thursday, surrounded by family at home in Los Angeles.
Blake's career spanned decades and included memorable roles in the "Our Gang" shorts (which became known as "The Little Rascals"), the 1967 film adaptation of Truman Capote's "In Cold Blood" and ABC's 1970s cop show "Baretta," for which he won an Emmy and a Golden Globe. But Blake's devotion to acting was eclipsed by the death of Bonny Lee Bakley in 2001. The aspiring actress, then 44, was shot outside a restaurant while at dinner with her husband.
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Erin Jensen
He was born Michael Gubitosi on Sept. 18, 1933, in Nutley, New Jersey, the third child of Giacomo Gubitosi and Elizabeth Cafone.
Blake started out as an extra on "Our Gang." He revealed during an early '90s appearance on "The Joan Rivers Show" how he earned a speaking role for the series he appeared on from 1939 to 1944. He was credited as Mickey Gubitosi, and his character was also named Mickey.
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