Robert Blake (actor)
Robert Blake | |
|---|---|
 Blake in 1977 | |
| 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 |
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| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1939–1997 |
| Spouses |
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| Children | 3 |
| Website | robertbobbyblake |
Robert Blake (born Michael James Vincenzo Gubitosi; September 18, 1933 – March 9, 2023),[1] was an American actor. In 1975, he won an Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award.
Early life
[change | change source]Robert Blake was born Michael James Gubitosi[2] in Nutley, New Jersey, on September 18, 1933. His family were entertainers. His family moved to Los Angeles, California, in 1938 to focus on their career.
Blake had an unhappy childhood in which he was abused by his alcoholic father. He said that he was physically and sexually abused by both of his parents while growing up. At age 14, he ran away from home.[3]
Career
[change | change source]Robert Blake began his acting career as a child in dozens short films as Joy Scouts (1939), Captain Spanky's Show Boat (1939), The Big Premiere (1940), Good Bad Boys (1940), and the Oscar-winning short film Main Street on the March! (1941). As an adult, Blake he began to play small roles in films like The Black Rose (1950) with Tyrone Power and directed by Henry Hathaway, The Veils of Bagdad (1953) with Victor Mature, Three Violent People (1956) with Charlton Heston, Pork Chop Hill (1959) with Gregory Peck. He also had a role in The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965), playing the role of Simon the Zealot. Robert Blake shot to fame when playing Perry in the film In Cold Blood (1967) based on the book by Truman Capote, and directed by Richard Brooks. Another performance was playing a deranged police officer motorized in Electra Glide in Blue (1973) for this film Blake was nominated for a Golden Globe.
Television
[change | change source]Robert Blake has had a long and successful career in television. His great works include Baretta as Det. Tony Baretta. Robert Blake played for 82 episodes broadcast between 1975 and 1978. Blake won a prestigious Emmy Award in 1975 and was nominated again in 1977 and also won Golden Globe in 1975 for Baretta.
Another of his works on television was his portrayal of James Riddle 'Jimmy' Hoffa in Blood Feud (1983) directed by Mike Newell, for which he was nominated for an Emmy and Golden Globe in 1983. One of his last television appearances was in Judgment Day: The John List Story (1993) directed by Bobby Roth, he plays the true story of a religious fanatic who kills his family. This role was one of his best performances and earned him a nomination for an Emmy in 1993.
Murder trial
[change | change source]In March 2005, Blake was tried and acquitted of the 2001 murder of his second wife, Bonnie Lee Bakley.[4][5] In November 2005, he was found liable in a California civil court for her wrongful death.[6]
References
[change | change source]- ↑ Haring, Bruce (2023-03-10). "Robert Blake Dies: Actor In 'Baretta' And 'In Cold Blood' Was 89, Beat Real-Life Murder Rap". Deadline. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
- ↑ Blake, Robert (2015). Tales of a Rascal: What I Did for Love. Black Rainbow Productions. p. 169. ISBN 978-0-61-559194-0.
- ↑ King, Gary C. "Robert Blake and the Murder of Bonny Lee Bakley". Tru TV. p. 15. Archived from the original on May 2, 2009. Retrieved May 5, 2009.
- ↑ LeDuff, Charles (March 5, 2005). "Actor's Trial, Complete With Pulp Novel Characters, Draws to a Close". The New York Times.
- ↑ LeDuff, Charles (March 17, 2005). "'Baretta' Star Acquitted of Murder in Wife's Death". The New York Times.
- ↑ "Actor Is Ordered to Pay $30 Million in Killing". The New York Times. November 19, 2005.
More readings
[change | change source]- LIFE 12 January 1968
- Stephen J. Cannell Television Productions: A History of All Series and Pilots by Jon Abbott
Other websites
[change | change source]
- Robert Blake on IMDb
- Robert Blake at AllMovie
- Robert Blake at TV.com
- Robert Blake at the Open Directory Project