Robert Blake Obituary – Death: the Emmy award-winning performer Has Passed Away, Cause Of Death

Robert Blake, the Emmy-winning actor who gained notoriety after being tried and acquitted of his wife’s murder, passed away on Thursday at the age of 89. In a statement released on behalf of his niece Noreen Austin, it was revealed that Blake died of a heart attack in his Los Angeles home, surrounded by family.

Despite once being recognized as one of the best actors of his generation, Blake’s life was overshadowed by the 2001 shooting of his wife, Bonny Lee Bakley, and the ensuing court case that followed. Although he maintained his innocence, a civil jury held him responsible for Bakley’s death and ordered him to pay $30 million to her family, leading to his financial ruin.

Blake’s career began as a child performer in the family variety show “Three Little Hillbillies,” and he later starred in “Our Gang” and “Treasure of the Sierra Madre.” As an adult, he played real-life killer Perry Smith in “In Cold Blood” and achieved success on the TV series “Baretta,” for which he won an Emmy in 1975. However, his reputation was marred by behind-the-scenes conflicts, and he gained a reputation as one of the toughest actors to work with in Hollywood.

Blake’s personal life was also tumultuous, including struggles with alcohol and drug addiction, and his marriage to Bakley, who was murdered in 2001. Although he was acquitted of her murder, the incident left a lasting impact on his career and legacy.