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Robert Blake, who is known for his roles in « Baretta » and « In Cold Blood, » has died, his niece said Thursday. He was 89.
Blake « passed away peacefully surrounded by family by his side in Los Angeles, » according to a statement from his rep obtained by ABC News
The cause of death was heart disease, according to Blake’s niece, Noreen Austin.
The actor, who has starred in many television and film roles, is also known for being acquitted for the 2001 murder of his second wife, Bonny Lee Bakley, after forensic evidence showed he didn’t fire the murder weapon. At the time, two main witnesses against Blake were also lacking in credibility.
Blake got his start in acting as a child. According to his rep, Blake grabbed the attention of studio casting directors when he was 5 years old. He first appeared in the 1939 film « Bridal Suite, » then in the short film series « Our Gang, » which led to more than 200 film roles.
After being drafted into the U.S. Army in 1950, Blake returned to acting in the Western series « 26 Men. » He also starred in the syndicated Western « The Cisco Kid. » Blake continued to appear in several TV shows across CBS, NBC and ABC.
In 1967, Blake’s portrayal as murderer Perry Smith in the Truman Capote film adaptation of « In Cold Blood » was dubbed as a breakout role.
Blake starred in a few more film roles including the 1972 film « Corky » and the TV movie adaptation of « Of Mice and Men » in 1981.
But it was his role as police detective Tony Baretta in the television series « Baretta, » that he is best known for.
