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Robert Blake Parents: Meet Robert Blake’s Parents – Robert Blake, born Michael James Gubitosi on September 18, 1933, is an American actor, best known for his roles in film and television.

Blake’s career spans over six decades, during which he has worked in some of the most iconic films and television shows in Hollywood history. However, Blake’s personal life has also been plagued by controversy, including a high-profile murder trial.

Blake was born in Nutley, New Jersey, and raised in New Jersey and California. He began his acting career as a child actor in the 1930s, appearing in films such as “Our Gang” and “Little Rascals.” In 1942, he changed his name to Robert Blake and landed his first major film role in “Humoresque” in 1946.

Blake’s career continued to flourish throughout the 1950s, with roles in films such as “The Blackboard Jungle” and “In Cold Blood.” He also had a successful television career, with appearances on shows such as “The Lone Ranger,” “Gunsmoke,” and “The Twilight Zone.”

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In the 1960s, Blake’s career continued to thrive, and he landed the lead role in the hit TV series “Baretta.” The show ran from 1975 to 1978 and earned Blake an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series in 1975.

Blake’s personal life has been tumultuous, marked by several high-profile controversies. In 1961, he married Sondra Kerr, and the couple had two children together. However, the marriage ended in divorce in 1983.

In 2001, Blake’s second wife, Bonnie Lee Bakley, was shot and killed in Los Angeles. Blake was charged with her murder and went to trial in 2005. The trial was highly publicized, and Blake was eventually acquitted of all charges.

Despite the controversies in his personal life, Blake’s career continued to flourish throughout the 1990s and 2000s. He appeared in several films, including “Money Train,” “Lost Highway,” and “David Lynch’s Inland Empire.” He also had a recurring role on the HBO series “The Sopranos.”

In 2005, Blake published his autobiography, “Tales of a Rascal,” in which he detailed his career and personal life. The book received positive reviews and helped to reignite interest in Blake’s career.

In 2013, Blake made headlines again when he filed for bankruptcy, citing debts of over $1 million. He claimed that he had been unable to find work since his acquittal in the murder trial.

Despite the controversies in his personal life, Blake remains one of Hollywood’s most iconic actors. His career spanned over six decades, during which he appeared in some of the most influential films and television shows in history. He was nominated for three Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe Award for his work.

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Blake’s portrayal of Baretta remains one of his most iconic roles, and the character has become a cultural touchstone. The show was a critical and commercial success, and it helped to solidify Blake’s place as one of Hollywood’s most versatile actors.

In recent years, Blake’s legacy has been overshadowed by his personal life controversies. However, his contributions to the film and television industry cannot be denied. He remains a beloved figure in Hollywood and a source of inspiration for actors and fans alike.

Robert Blake Parents: Meet Robert Blake’s Parents

He was the son of Giacomo Gubitosi, a baker and Italian immigrant, and Elizabeth Cafone, an American of Italian descent.

Blake’s parents were hard-working individuals, and they raised him and his older brother James in a modest home. When Blake was only three years old, his father died of pneumonia. Following his father’s death, his mother worked several jobs to support the family. She eventually remarried and moved the family to California.

Growing up, Blake had a difficult relationship with his stepfather and was often in trouble with the law. At the age of 14, he was sent to a reform school for stealing, and he later dropped out of high school.

Despite his troubled youth, Blake found his calling in acting and began his career as a child actor in 1939, under the stage name Bobby Blake. He appeared in several movies and TV shows throughout the 1940s and 1950s, including “The Little Rascals,” “The Red Skelton Hour,” and “Our Gang.”

Blake’s parents were proud of his success in Hollywood, and his mother even appeared in some of his films, including “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” and “The Black Rose.” However, his stepfather disapproved of his acting career and was reportedly abusive towards him.

In later years, Blake had a strained relationship with his mother, who he felt had not protected him from his abusive stepfather. Despite this, he remained close with his brother James until his death in 2013.

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