Robert Blake has had a life as tough as he is. Starting his career in Hollywood in the 1940's as a member of "Our Gang" he was a star at age six. Blake was raised in an unhappy home with an abusive alcoholic father. At age ten he went to a public school for the first time but didn't fit in. He was a star and that inevitably got him into fights. He finally left school at age 14. Blake entered the army before returning to Hollywood as an adult to study acting and restarting his career. Blake made his way playing tough guy parts. What could be the high point in his career as an actor was the role of Perry Smith the real life murderer in the black and white film adaptation of Truman Capote's "In Cold Blood". The scene shot in a window during a rainstorm where Blake as Perry Smith confesses to the murders is mesmerizing.
From 1975 to 1978 Blake starred in the television series "Baretta" where he played undercover police detective Tony Baretta. Blake won an Emmy award for his portrayal of Tony Baretta. He was known for the catch phrases "Don't do the crime if you can't do the time." and "You can take that to the bank."
Robert Blake married twice. He second marriage in 2000 was his most infamous. He married Bonnie Lee Bakley a suspected con artist who was murdered in Blake's car outside of Vitellos restaurant in Studio City. This was Bakley's 10th marriage. She had given birth earlier to a baby who she claimed was either Christian Brando's or Blake's. Blake was arrested for the murder of Bakley and eventually acquitted of the charges after a drama filled trial.
Robert Blake made his appearance on Piers Morgan's show to promote his new memoir "Tales of a Rascal".
Glad you're addressing this, Timmmmmm! I think he got a shitty deal. He may be an Angry Young Man now not so young, but still angry, but Cher, he's no murderer and certainly not a premeditated one... I'm, generally, a pretty good intuitive judge of character (tho'I'm questioning that most recently, as you know!) but, never felt that vibe from him. He was screwed up, but more authentic in his little finger than any ten people I've met.
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