The Emmy-winning actor who went from being celebrated for his acting to becoming infamous when he was charged and acquitted of murdering his wife, died Thursday at age 89, according to the AP.
Blake died of heart disease, surrounded by his family at his home in Los Angeles, according to a statement from his niece Noreen Austin.
Career in film and television
After acting since childhood, he reached the peak of his career with the television police series "Baretta" from 1975-78.
He starred as detective Tony Baretta, who carried a cockroach on his shoulder and was fond of disguises.
In 1975, he won an Emmy for his portrayal of the character.
He was also praised for his role as the murderer Perry Smith in the film adaptation of Truman Capote's "In Cold Blood".
While he was seen as one of Hollywood's best actors at the time, he was perceived as one of the most difficult to work with, according to the AP.
The adventures surrounding the murder of Blake's wife
The murder of Robert Blake's wife in 2001 – which damaged the actor's reputation and left him bankrupt – subsequently overshadowed his career.
Bonny Lee Bakley was shot dead outside a restaurant in Studio City, California where the couple had dined that evening.
Prosecutors alleged that Blake planned to kill Bakley to gain sole custody of their child together and that he tried to hire hitmen for the job.
But the jury rejected the theory in court.
However, the decision was overturned by a civil jury some time later, which held that he was indeed responsible for her death.
He was thus forced to pay $30 million to Bakley's family, a judgment that led to his bankruptcy.