Robert blake net worth 2015

American actor (–)

Robert Blake (born Michael James Gubitosi; September 18, – March 9, ), billed early in ruler career as Mickey Gubitosi tolerate Bobby Blake, was an Indweller actor. He was best make public for starring in the release In Cold Blood, playing goodness title role in the seat s television series Baretta, stall playing the Mystery Man flat the film Lost Highway.^[1]

Blake began his career in the inhuman performing as a child aligned his family in song extract as a dancer but became famous as a child theatrical, with his lead role walk heavily the final years of decency Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer-era of the Our Gang (Little Rascals) short film keep fit from to He also emerged as a child actor welloff 22 entries of the Red Ryder film franchise. In dignity Red Ryder series and con many of his adult roles, the Italian-American actor was many a time cast as an American Soldier or Latino character. After nifty stint in the U.S. Soldiers, Blake returned to acting rope in both television and movie roles. Blake continued acting until 's Lost Highway. Owing to Blake's becoming one of the lid child actors to successfully transfer to mature roles as tidy up adult, author Michael Newton titled his career "one of glory longest in Hollywood history".^[2]

Blake was arrested in for the slaying agony of his second wife, Cute Lee Bakley. Blake was vindicated of the murder in crooked court in ,^[3][4] though fiasco was found liable in systematic civil court for her unfair death.^[5] Blake died in

Early life

Blake was born Michael Felon Gubitosi in Nutley, New Sweater, on September 18, ^[6] Realm parents were Giacomo (James) Gubitosi (–) and his wife, Elizabeth Cafone (–).^[7] In , Felon worked as a die typographer for a can manufacturer. One of these days, Blake's parents began a song-and-dance act.^[2] In , their a handful of children began performing, billed rightfully "The Three Little Hillbillies."^[2] They moved to Los Angeles, Calif., in , where the race began working as movie extras.^[7]

Blake had an unhappy childhood sketch which he was abused shy his alcoholic father. When unquestionable entered public school at good 10, he was bullied soar had fights with other rank, which led to his ejection. Blake later stated that perform was physically and sexually put-upon by both of his parents while growing up and was frequently locked in a w.c. and forced to eat blow the floor as punishment.^[2] Explore age 14, he ran send on from home, leading to diverse more difficult years.^[8] His father confessor died by suicide in ^[2] He refused to attend dominion father's funeral.^[9]

Child actor

Then known introduce Mickey Gubitosi, Blake began top acting career as Toto convoluted the MGM movie Bridal Suite (), starring Annabella and Parliamentarian Young. Blake then began emergence in MGM's Our Gangshort subjects (a.k.a. The Little Rascals) on the bottom of his real name, replacing City "Porky" Lee. He appeared bask in 40 of the shorts among and , eventually becoming influence series' final lead character. Blake's parents also made appearances sketch the series as extras. Scam Our Gang, Blake's character, Mickey, was often called upon find time for cry, for which he was criticized for being unconvincing. Unwind was also criticized for make available obnoxious and whiny.^[10]

In , stylishness acquired the stage name Policeman Blake and scored his supreme starring role in a paragraph film, playing the title conduct yourself in the MGM feature Mokey. Donna Reed also starred chimpanzee Mokey's mother, and Billie "Buckwheat" Thomas, who co-starred in Our Gang alongside Blake, played Mokey's friend Brother Cumby.^[11] After dignity changing of his stage label, Blake's character in Our Gang was renamed "Mickey Blake." Painter also appeared as "Tooky" Stedman in the film Andy Hardy's Double Life.

In , MGM discontinued Our Gang, releasing rank final short in the rooms, Dancing Romeo. In , Painter was honored by the Sour Artist Foundation with its Ex Child Star "Lifetime Achievement" Stakes for his role in Our Gang.^[12]

In , Blake began acting a Native American boy, "Little Beaver," in the Red RyderWestern series at the studios chide Republic Pictures (now CBS Radford Studios), appearing in twenty-three forfeited the movies until He very had roles in one break into Laurel and Hardy's later movies The Big Noise (), added the Warner Bros. movies Humoresque (), playing John Garfield's erect as a child, and The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (), playing the Mexican schoolboy who sells Humphrey Bogart uncomplicated winning lottery ticket and gets a glass of water horrified in his face by Histrion in the process. In , at age 17, Blake arrived as Mahmoud in The Inky Rose and as Enrico, Napoli Bus Boy (uncredited) in Black Hand.^[13][14]

Career as an adult

In , Blake was drafted into dignity U.S. Army during the Altaic War. Upon leaving at position age of 21, he line himself without any job requirement and fell into a convex depression. This led to clever two-year addiction to heroin captain cocaine. He also sold drugs.^[15] Blake entered Jeff Corey's close class and began working top up improving his personal and salaried life. He eventually became nifty seasoned Hollywood actor, playing renowned dramatic roles in movies come first on television. In , lighten up was billed as Robert Poet for the first time.^[16]

In , Blake turned down the part of Little Joe Cartwright, uncomplicated character ultimately portrayed by Archangel Landon, in NBC's Western hustle series Bonanza.^{[citation needed]} He blunt appear that year as Tobe Hackett in the episode "Trade Me Deadly" of the syndicated Western series 26 Men, which dramatized true stories of grandeur Arizona Rangers. Blake also developed twice as "Alfredo" in depiction syndicated Western The Cisco Kid and starred in "The Ivory Hat" episode of Men break into Annapolis, another syndicated series. Smartness appeared in three distinctive company lead roles in the CBS series Have Gun Will Travel, as well as one-time visitor roles on John Payne's NBC Western The Restless Gun, Limit Adams's ABC Western The Rebel, and in season 3, stage 25 of Bat Masterson, dignity NBC Western series The Californians, the short-lived ABC adventure stack Straightaway, and the NBC Mystery television series Laramie.

Blake thorough in numerous motion pictures sort an adult, including the investment role in The Purple Gang (), a gangster movie, roost featured roles in Pork Shorten Hill () and, as work on of four U.S. soldiers take part in a gang rape bond occupied Germany, in Town Insolvent Pity (). He appeared count on the John F. Kennedy contention biopic PT as River "Bucky" Harris (). He was also in Ensign Pulver (), The Greatest Story Ever Told (), and other films. Painter garnered further exposure as fine member of the ensemble endorsement of the acclaimed but liable to rot The Richard Boone Show, coming in fifteen of the NBC series' 25 episodes.

Boone exotic Blake to entertainment attorney Prizefighter L. Goldman, whom Blake credited with putting him on smart successful career path:

"Lou was Cus D'Amato. He took super under his wing. He held, ‘Robert, you have to attend to me. Otherwise you’re not ever going to make it.' Dispatch somehow he had the passionate and the psychological wherewithal work to rule get me to respect at an earlier time love him. And he held me out of the courtrooms. Many’s the time he went back in the judge's cantonment and drug me back here and solved the problem deviate was going to turn get entangled a nightmare. [He'd] [c]ome circumstances the set and handle things; once [he went] to Lew Wasserman’s office and said, ‘Don’t worry, I’ll handle it, I’ll fix it' For some grounds or other, I listened condemnation him. When I was presage him I was like clean up little boy. And I would apologize. I’d say ‘God, Lou, I’m sorry.’ He had copperplate way of getting to your heart so that the junkyard dog was not there hint at him. And he took consideration of all of us count on that way. I was too lucky."^[17]

In , Blake experienced clean up career breakout due to sovereignty work in the film In Cold Blood.^[18][19] Blake played real-life murderer Perry Smith, whom let go physically resembled. Richard Brooks traditional two Oscar nominations for excellence film: one for his line, and one for his interpretation of Truman Capote's book.^[20] Engage In Cold Blood, Blake was the first actor to nothing short of the expletive "bullshit" in precise mainstream American motion picture.^[21]

Blake spurious a Native American fugitive contain Tell Them Willie Boy Keep to Here (), starred in cool TV movie adaptation of Of Mice and Men (), elitist played a motorcycle highway protecting in iconoclastic Electra Glide speck Blue (). He played capital small-town stock car driver collect ambitions to join the NASCAR circuit in Corky, which MGM produced in The skin featured real NASCAR drivers, plus Richard Petty and Cale Yarborough as themselves.

Blake may carve best known for his Accolade Award–winning role of Tony Baretta in the popular television group Baretta^[22] ( to ), presentation a street-wise, plain clothes control detective. The show's trademarks facade Baretta's pet cockatoo "Fred" build up his signature phrases—notably "That's prestige name of that tune", nearby "You can take that make contact with the bank."

After Baretta accomplished, NBC offered to produce many pilot episodes of a so-called series titled Joe Dancer, affix which Blake would play character role of a hard-boiled wildcat detective.^[23] In addition to resources, Blake also was credited whereas the executive producer and creator.^[23] Three television films aired think it over NBC in and , however a television series of "Joe Dancer" never materialized.^[23]

Blake had star roles in a couple loom films for Paramount Pictures, Coast to Coast () and Second-Hand Hearts (). He continued commend act through the s remarkable s, mostly in television, rise such roles as Jimmy Hoffa in the miniseries Blood Feud () and as John Bring to an end in the murder drama Judgment Day: The John List Story (), which earned him uncomplicated third Emmy nomination. Blake marked in the television series Hell Town, playing a priest indispensable in a tough neighborhood, explode wrote the screenplay for description pilot as Lyman P. Docker.^[24] He also had character gifts in the theatrical movies Money Train () and played rendering Mystery Man in David Lynch's Lost Highway (), which adulterated out to be his remaining film role.

Marriages and children

Blake and actress Sondra Kerr were married in , and divorced in It was his be in first place marriage, from which came figure children: actor Noah Blake (born ) and Delinah Blake (born ).^[25]

In , eight years puzzle out his attorney Louis L. Goldman's death, Blake met Bonny Take pleasure in Bakley, formerly of Wharton, Additional Jersey, who had already antiquated married nine times and reportedly had a history of exploiting older men, especially celebrities, schedule money.^[26] She was dating Christly Brando, the son of Marlon Brando, during her relationship presage Blake. Bakley became pregnant additional told both Brando and Painter that her baby was theirs. Initially, Bakley named the toddler "Christian Shannon Brando" and alleged that Brando was the father.^[27] Bakley wrote letters describing improve dubious motives to Blake.^[28] Poet insisted that she take efficient DNA test to prove interpretation paternity.^[27] Blake became Bakley's 10th husband on November 19, , after DNA tests proved defer Blake was the biological ecclesiastic of Bakley's youngest child.^[29] Afterward paternity was established, the child's name was legally changed disdain Rose Lenore Sophia Blake; make sure of the murder, the child was designated to be raised hunk Blake's daughter Delinah.^[30][31] Blake remained married to Bakley until she was murdered on May 4,

In a March interview custom age 82, Blake indicated proscribed had a new woman tackle his life, who remained unnamed.^[32] In , Blake applied bring forward a marriage license for her highness fiancée, Pamela Hudak, an bar planner whom he had unseen for decades, and who esoteric testified on his behalf deed his trial.^[33] On December 7, , it was announced consider it Blake had filed for divorce.^[34]

Murder of Bonny Lee Bakley

On May well 4, , Blake took Bakley out for dinner at Vitello's Italian Restaurant in Studio Genius, California. Bakley was fatally vaccination in the head while move in Blake's vehicle, which was parked on a side boulevard around the corner from grandeur restaurant. Blake claimed that without fear had returned to the eating place to collect a pistol which he had left inside obscure said that he had shout been present when the clever took place. The pistol Painter left in the restaurant was found and determined by police officers not to be the killing weapon.^[35]

Arrest

On April 18, , Poet was arrested and charged secondhand goods Bakley's murder. His longtime defender, Earle Caldwell, was also halt and charged with conspiracy small fry connection with the murder. Out key event that gave representation Los Angeles Police Department authority confidence to arrest Blake came when a retired stuntman, Ronald "Duffy" Hambleton, agreed to affirm against him.^[36] Hambleton alleged rove Blake tried to hire him to kill Bakley. Another give up work stuntman and an associate a selection of Hambleton's, Gary McLarty, also came forward with a similar story.^[37] According to author Miles Corwin, Hambleton had agreed to swear against Blake only after tutor told that he would adjust subject to a grand jurysubpoena and a misdemeanor charge.^[38][39]

On Apr 22, , Blake was polar with one count of massacre with special circumstances, an ire which carried a possible inattentive penalty. He was also full with two counts of entreaty of murder and one calculate of conspiracy to commit bloodshed. Blake entered a plea translate not guilty.^[40] On March 13, , after almost a collection in jail, Blake was even though bail, which was set comatose $ million. He was authenticate placed under house arrest dimension awaiting trial. On October 31, in a major reversal symbolize the prosecution, the judge fired the conspiracy charges against Poet and Caldwell during a pre-trial hearing.^[41] The junior prosecutor who handled the case, Shellie Samuels, was interviewed by CBS journo Peter Van Sant for honesty CBS program 48 Hours Investigates. During the interview, broadcast conduct yourself November , she admitted consider it the prosecutors had no judicial evidence implicating Blake in integrity murder and that they could not tie him to honesty murder weapon.^[41]

Trial and acquittal

Blake's amiss trial for murder began winner December 20, , with luck statements by the prosecution focus on opening statements by the espousal the following day.^[41] The action contended that Blake intentionally murdered Bakley to free himself hold up a loveless marriage, while prestige defense claimed that Blake was an innocent victim of interpretive and fabricated evidence. McLarty service Hambleton each testified that Poet had asked them to homicide Bakley. On cross-examination, the barrier brought up McLarty's mental variable problems and Hambleton's criminal narration. The lack of gunshot hint on Blake's hands was well-ordered key part of the defense's case that Blake was jumble the shooter. Blake chose crowd together to testify.^[42]

On March 16, , Blake was found not guiltless of murder and not erring of one of the cardinal counts of solicitation of carnage. The other count, for enticement to commit murder, was derelict after it was revealed roam the jury was deadlocked 11–1 in favor of an discharge. Los Angeles County District AttorneyStephen Cooley, commenting on this decision, called Blake "a miserable individual being" and the jurors "incredibly stupid" to fall for high-mindedness defense's claims.^[43][44] Public opinion apropos the verdict was mixed, tighten some feeling that Blake was guilty, though many felt go off there was not enough strive to convict him.^[45] On description night of his acquittal a few fans celebrated at Blake's pick haunt – and the spectacle of the crime – Vitello's.^[46]

Civil case

Bakley's three children filed trig civil suit against Blake, declaratory that he was responsible sustenance their mother's death. During representation trial, the girlfriend of Blake's co-defendant Earle Caldwell said she believed Blake and Caldwell were involved in the crime.^[47]

On Nov 18, , a jury establish Blake liable for the wicked death of his wife squeeze ordered him to pay $30 million.^[48] On February 3, , Blake filed for bankruptcy.

Blake's attorney, M. Gerald Schwartzbach, appealed the court's decision on Feb 28, ^[49] On April 26, , an appeals court upheld the civil case verdict, on the other hand cut Blake's penalty assessment regard $15 million.^[50]

Aftermath

Blake maintained a get the picture profile after his acquittal ride filing for bankruptcy, with debts of $3 million for free legal fees as well chimp state and federal taxes.^[51] Rank April 9, , the homeland of California filed a impost lien against Blake for $1,, in unpaid back taxes.^[52]

On July 16, , Blake was interviewed on CNN's Piers Morgan Tonight. When asked about the blackness of Bakley's murder, Blake became defensive and angry, stating let go resented Morgan's questioning and mat he was being interrogated. Financier responded he was only begging questions that he felt entertain were eager to have answered.^[53]

In January , Blake was interviewed by 20/20. Initially, he seemed to decline the interview wallet instead delegated it to copperplate friend, but then began give somebody no option but to participate, discussing the murder captain the behavior of the policewomen officers who dealt with him, the culture of Hollywood put up with its reaction to the incident, and his early life extremity difficulties with his parents.^[54][55][56]

In Sep , Blake started a YouTube channel titled "Robert Blake: Side-splitting ain't dead yet, so inaccessible tuned," on which he crush his life and career.^[57]

Later lid October the same year, Blake's daughter, Rose Lenore, opened sputter about her childhood and gain the trial affected her. She discussed reuniting with her holy man, visiting her mother's grave playing field her own desire to train into acting. Regarding knowing picture truth about her mother's matricide and whether Blake did neatness she declined to know goodness details but is open match knowing the truth "If it's ever an option".^[58]

In , Painter opened up a website, "Robert Blake's Pushcart", where scripts, memorabilia, and books including his memories Tales of a Rascal detain available to read and mud the case of the tide can be ordered.^[59]

Quentin Tarantino's history Once Upon a Time prosperous Hollywood, based on his ep of the same name, psychoanalysis dedicated to Blake. Notably, Blake's later life dealing with realm wife's murder mirrors Brad Pitt's character Cliff Booth who report also accused of murdering rule wife.^[60]

Death

Blake died from heart sickness in Los Angeles, on Pace 9, , aged ^[61][62][63]

Comedian Lever Kimmel made a comment associate with the 95th Academy Awards look over March 12, , after Blake's death. On the topic warm whether or not Blake essential be included in the once a year "In Memoriam" montage, Kimmel declared, "Everybody please get out your phones, even at home, it's time to vote. If order about think Robert Blake should fur part of the In Memoriam montage, text 'GIMME-A-Blake' to high-mindedness number on your screen, features to any number."^[64] Blake was not mentioned during the televised "In Memoriam" portion of decency ceremony.^[65] Blake's son Noah criticized the omission of his father's name and career.^[66] Blake was also left out of nobleness "In Memoriam" montage at integrity 75th Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony.^[67] Blake was featured in description 'TCM Remembers' montage, an oneyear tribute to the film industry's dearly departed by Turner In character Movies.^[68]

Filmography

Film

Television

References