Robert Blake: Actor once tried for murder dies aged 89

Robert Blake, the actor who was once tried for murdering his wife, has died.

The actor, known for starring in the series Baretta and the 1997 film Lost Highway died at the age of 89 from heart disease at his home in Los Angeles, a statement said.

In the statement from his niece, Noreen Austin, Blake is said to have died “peacefully surrounded by family and friends”.

Blake was charged in 2002 with fatally shooting his wife, Bonny Lee Bakley, to gain custody of their young daughter. He was later acquitted at the end of a three-month trial.

A wrongful death lawsuit subsequently filed against Blake by her estate led to a civil court judgement that the actor was responsible for her death.

Although Blake always maintained his innocence, he was ordered by the judge to pay £25 million to the children of his ex-wife, a sum which was later reduced to £12 million.

Blake contended his wife had been gunned down by an unknown assailant.

Born in Nutley, New Jersey, as Michael James Gubitosi, Blake got his start in show business as a youngster when he and two siblings joined his parents’ song-and-dance vaudeville act, known as “The Three Little Hillbillies," before the family moved to California.

Blake was just 8 years-old when he began appearing as Mickey in the “Our Gang" short film series, also known as “The Little Rascals," in 1939. He later played the character of Little Beaver, a Native American boy, in the “Red Ryder" Western series.

After outgrowing child roles and serving in the Army, Blake worked steadily in television and appeared in movies such as “Pork Chop Hill," “The Purple Gang" and “Town Without Pity."