Robert Blake (actor)

Robert Blake (born Michael James Gubitosi; September 18, 1933 – March 9, 2023), billed early in his career as Mickey Gubitosi and Bobby Blake, was an American actor. He is best known today for his role as convicted killer Perry Smith in the 1967 film In Cold Blood, the title role in the 1975–78 television series Baretta (for which he received an Emmy award), and appearing as the Mystery Man in the 1997 film Lost Highway. Blake began his career in the 1930s performing as a child singer and dancer alongside his family, but became famous for his central role as "Mickey" in the final years of the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer-era of the Our Gang (Little Rascals) short film series from 1939 to 1944. He also appeared as juvenile sidekick "Little Beaver" in 23 entries of the Red Ryder film franchise. After a stint in the U.S. Army, Blake returned to acting in television and movies. His film credits include Pork Chop Hill (1959), The Purple Gang (1960), Town Without Pity (1961), PT 109 (1963), Tell Them Willie Boy Is Here (1969), Electra Glide in Blue (1973), Coast to Coast (1980), and Money Train (1995). He continued acting until 1997's Lost Highway. Blake was one of the small number of child actors able to evolve into mature roles as an adult. Author Michael Newton called Blake's career "one of the longest in Hollywood history". Blake was arrested in 2002 for the 2001 murder of his second wife, Bonny Lee Bakley. He was acquitted of the murder in criminal court in 2005, but was found liable in civil court for her wrongful death.