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How did Robert Blake die? 'Baretta' and 'In Cold Blood' star, 89, was once charged with killing his wife

Robert Blake was acquitted in the killing of wife Bonny Lee Bakley in 2005

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: American actor Robert Blake, known for his roles in the 1967 film 'In Cold Blood' and the 1970s US television series 'Baretta', has died at the age of 89. According to a statement released by his niece, Noreen Austin, Blake died Thursday, March 9, from heart disease at home, surrounded by loved ones.

"He died at home with family around him peacefully, long-term heart issues," Austin said according to Fox News. "He spent the last few years listening to jazz music and playing his guitar and watching classic movies."

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Blake and his acting career

At a very young age, Blake found success as a child actor in the 'Our Gang' comedies, better known as 'The Little Rascals'. He appeared in many 'Red Ryder' western films and had roles in 'The Big Noise', 'The Treasure of the Sierra Madre' and 'The Black Rose'. He was praised for his portrayal of real-life murderer Perry Smith in Richard Brooks' 'In Cold Blood', based on Truman Capote's 1966 book of the same name. He starred in the TV cop series 'Baretta' from 1975-1978.

Blake, who played the role of an unusual detective, used the catchphrase, "Don't do the crime if you can't do the time."

The event that ruined his career

Blake, who was once regarded as the finest actor of his generation, is unfortunately known as a defendant in the murder of his wife, Bonny Lee Bakley, who died outside a Studio City restaurant on May 4, 2001. His stardom was quickly tarnished as he was tried and acquitted in the incident. Blake was arrested and charged with one count of murder with special circumstances, two counts of solicitation of murder, and one count of conspiracy to commit murder almost a year after his wife was killed outside of Vitello's Italian Restaurant.

Blake told investigators he had gone back inside the restaurant to retrieve a pistol when Bakley was shot and killed. While awaiting trial, Blake expressed his discontent in a 2002 interview with the Associated Press, saying, "It hurt because America is the only family I had." He was rigid since the beginning, claiming that he was not responsible for the death of his wife, and ultimately a jury acquitted him. It was later determined his pistol was not the murder weapon.

A civil jury found him liable for her death just months after he was acquitted and ordered Blake to pay Bakley's family $30 million for her wrongful death. It was the final nail in his coffin as the judgment sent him to bankruptcy.

'Loved him in Baretta'

Twitter users also reacted to the news of his death. While most people were unforgiving and blamed him for the death of his wife online, a few users paid tribute to him. One user tweeted, "Did some good movies but real life ,tragic". Another user remembered the actor by tweeting, "Little 3ft 10inch Bobby was feisty. That right forearm shiver was unique." One tweeted, "Wow, his story was truly insane!" while another wrote, "Loved him in Baretta and as a Litte Rascal/Our Gang member R.I.P." "'Don't do the crime, if you can't do the time - Yeah, don't do it. And keep your eye on the sparrow'", one user tweeted his famous dialogue.

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