Born Michael James Vincenzo Gubitosi, Robert Blake was an American actor best remembered for his work on the television series Baretta and the 1967 film In Cold Blood. He died on March 9, 2023. In the final years of Metro-Goldwyn-Our Mayer’s Gang (Little Rascals) short film series, which ran from 1939 to 1944, Blake made his acting debut. Also, he played a kid actor in 22 Red Ryder movie installments.
The Italian-American actor frequently played characters who were American Indian or Mexican in the Red Ryder series and many of his adult roles. Blake returned to acting after serving in the American Army, taking on roles in both films and television.
Right up to 1997’s Lost Highway, Blake kept acting. Author Michael Newton referred to Blake’s career as “one of the longest in Hollywood history” because he was one of the first child performers to effectively move into mature parts as an adult.
Robert Blake Net Worth 2023
American actor Robert Blake has a net worth of $3 million. Robert once had a net worth of up to $10–$15 million, as we go into depth in the next section. Regrettably, Robert Blake became embroiled in controversy in 2001 after being accused of killing his second wife, Bonnie Lee Bakley.
He was ultimately found not guilty in 2005 after a protracted trial that lasted several years. However, Robert was judged accountable for his wife’s death when a wrongful death lawsuit was filed against him in California, and he faced serious financial repercussions as a result.
Robert Blake rose to fame as an actor while playing roles in films like “In Cold Blood.” He is well-recognized for playing the lead in the television series “Baretta.” Robert began his career as a child actor and later served in the US Army before making a comeback in the film and television industries as an adult. Blake eventually gave up acting after making an appearance in “Lost Highway.” He had a career that was among the longest in Hollywood history.
Check out the articles given below to read more about the fortunes of various stars:
- Tiger Woods Net Worth 2023: How Rich is The Golfer?
- Barbara Eden Net Worth: How Much Money Did She Make?
- Vince Young Net Worth: How Much He Make In The NFL?
Robert Blake’s Early Life
On September 18, 1933, Michael James Gubitosi was born in Nutley, New Jersey. He and his family relocated to Los Angeles in 1938, when he and his two siblings started working as extras in motion pictures. Regrettably, Blake’s drunken parents sexually and physically assaulted him as a young boy. At the age of 14, this led him to flee his home.
Robert Blake’s Personal Life
After having two children from his previous marriage to Sondra Kerr, Robert started dating Bonnie Lee Bakley in 1999. Bakley allegedly has a reputation for taking advantage of senior males to make money. She dated Christian Brando, the son of Marlon Brando, at the same time she was seeing Blake. She informed Christian and Robert of the pregnancy and that the child was theirs. The couple wed in 2000 after a DNA test revealed that the child belonged to Robert.
Robert Blake’s Career
In the movie “Bridal Suite,” Robert made his debut when he was just six years old. He eventually rose to fame after playing in the MGM short film series “Our Gang.” Blake was cast as a First Nations lad in the “Red Ryder” western TV series as a result of his several appearances there. He began acting in films like “The Black Rose” and “Black Hand” before the age of 17.
Blake was enlisted in the US Army in 1950. He quit the service at the age of 21, but he had trouble finding work. Robert subsequently started selling narcotics and developed a cocaine and heroin addiction. He was able to become one of Hollywood’s most renowned performers after taking acting school.
Blake performed in movies like “The Purple Gang” and “Pork Chop Hill” after making appearances in a number of Western TV episodes like “26 Men” and “The Cisco Kid.” His career significantly advanced in 1967 after he was cast as the star of the movie “In Cold Blood.”
The 1975 release of “Baretta” marked the beginning of his most iconic role. Robert gained notoriety for sayings such as “don’t do the crime if you can’t do the time” while portraying a plainclothes police detective. After “Baretta” finished in 1978, Blake proceeded to make appearances in films like “Money Train” and “Lost Highway,” as well as TV shows like “Blood Feud” and “Hell Town.”
Financial Issues
Robert Blake declared bankruptcy in 2006, shortly after being mandated to pay a $30 million settlement to Bonnie Lee’s estate. He listed obligations totaling $3 million. The actor was the target of a lien filed by the state of California in 2010 for $1,110,878 in unpaid back taxes.
According to reports, Robert also owes a significant amount in legal fees. In light of these monetary difficulties, Blake thought about going back into the entertainment industry. He did, however, declare that he felt “half-dead” and would not be going back to Hollywood when he was 85 years old.
Real Estate
Since 1983, Blake has had a home in Studio City; nevertheless, it was later sold to a variety of other people. In 2001, he listed the house for $1,000,000 on the market. There are seven bedrooms and about 5,000 square feet of living space in the house.
In 2003, not long after Blake was freed on a $1.5 million bail, an actress by the name of Alexandra Kingston offered the house for $1.6 million. The house was eventually sold by Kingston for $1.5 million. The renowned property changed hands once more in 2018, this time for $3.35 million, which was $400,000 more than the asking price.
We have covered all the information about Robert Blake. If you want to check out more celebrities’ net worth or personal life then you can bookmark our site lakecountyfloridanews.com for all the latest updates.