In a 2005 court case, he was cleared of the homicide of his second spouse, Bonny Lee Bakley, regarding whom the inquiry “Did he or didn’t he?” Is incorporated in his inheritance. Commencing as a juvenile performer in the 1930s Hal Roach Little Rascals / Our Gang comedy film shorts, performer Robert Blake’s heritage encompasses an extensive catalogue of remarkable portrayals in films and on television.
(Robert Blake 1940 Gang | Zane Grey Theater 1959)
(Robert Blake 1944 Photo: The Los Angeles Times / UCLA Library)
Robert Blake, an Italian-American also known as Michael James Gubitosi, was born on September 18, 1933, in Nutley, New Jersey.
“Gubitosi James and his older siblings, Gubitosi Giovanna and Gubitosi Michael, began appearing on stage as “The Three Little Hillbillies” in 1932. Their parents, Gubitosi James and Cafone Elizabeth, were vaudeville performers. The Great Depression years were tough for everyone.”
His paternal grandfather Mike Gubitosi operated a footwear restoration store in Allwood, New Jersey.
The Gubitosi family relocated to Los Angeles in 1938, and the children started making appearances in films as background actors.
James Gubitosi’s father committed suicide in 1955. He was subjected to child abuse, including sexual abuse, and was often forced to eat off the floor. He was beaten and locked in a closet. James claimed that his father, a sadistic alcoholic, was abusive towards him. Robert Blake, as an adult, has stated that his childhood was terrible, describing his parents as “insane”.
Our Gang / Little Rascals Major Opportunity
(From left: James Jr., James Sr., Giovanna, Elizabeth, and Michael Gubitosi 1939: AP Wirefoto)
The children, James, Jovanni, and Michael, who are 7, 6, and 5 years old respectively, signed up for a film at MGM studios. They were amused as they walked into the casting studio with a dance and song act. The doorman at the studio was the closest they got to the film, as they did not get any further. Their father had brought them to Hollywood four months ago from the East, where they had been performing well in amateur shows and picnics. These children, who are from Nutley, N.J., Did pretty well in their performances. Today, they went to work on movie sets themselves. They broke through the gates of a Hollywood casting office, which was a big accomplishment for three small children from New Jersey who had a blacksmith for a father and were part of the WPA.
In the 1939 film “Bridal Suite,” Toto made an uncredited appearance as a character, and at the age of 6, Michael Young started working in movies in 1939.
Michael Gubitosi, a 5-year-old member of our gang, has joined the Evening Star’s Comedies since he is placed 43rd. It is interesting to see what the news is, but there is no stop-press.
Mickey Gubitosi, also known as Bobby Blake, portrayed the character Mickey in MGM’s Our Gang (The Little Rascals) short films from 1939 to 1944. He appeared in over 40 of these films, either credited or uncredited.
The customer is hesitant, Laughlin “Froggy” Billie, as he attempts to steal the donkey. Thomas “Billie” is Buckwheat, Switzer “Carl” is Alfalfa, McFarland “George” is Spanky, and Darla is Hood Darla, all wearing dark overalls. Robert Blake is “Mickey”. Our kids “Gang” Above, with Waldo’s assistance (Kaye Darwood, wearing glasses), are struggling with their lemonade stand.
In 1995, Robert Blake was honored by the Young Artist Foundation with a “Lifetime Achievement” Award for his performances on Our Gang, when he was known as a Former Child Star. After Robert decided to go by the name Bobby Blake, his sister Giovanna followed suit and changed her name to Joan Blake. Alongside Robert, James (also known as Jimmy) and Giovanna Gubitosi were also cast as extras in Our Gang. Similarly, when Robert made the name change to Bobby Blake, Giovanna decided to adopt the name Joan Blake as well. Additionally, Robert Blake’s brother James (also known as Jimmy) and sister Giovanna Gubitosi were also able to secure roles as extras in Our Gang.
Red Ryder’s Friend Little Beaver Enlists in the Military
When time first began for attending school, he was only 10 years old. Robert Blake, who had already been kicked out of elementary school for fighting, was 11 years old when Our Gang ended in 1944.
Bobby Blake transitioned from our short films, playing the character of Little Beaver, an American Native in the movies Red Raider and Tucson Gang, during the years 1944-1947.
(William / Bill Elliott as Red Ryder and Robert Blake as Little Beaver Photo: Lindell Dillon)
On August 25, 1947, Walter Whitaker conducted an interview with Blake Robert for The Daily Times-News. During the interview, it was revealed that Blake is skilled in archery and has a deep affection for horses. He frequently engages in activities such as hunting and riding with his father. Although he enjoys outdoor sports, Bobby, as he is commonly known, also has a unique role as a stunt double in movies. He is often required to perform challenging horseback riding scenes, which can be potentially dangerous. It is worth mentioning that Bobby is only 42 years old and possesses the physical appearance of a dwarf.
Throughout his professional journey in adult movies, Robert Blake often depicted individuals of Latin or Native American origin, in addition to taking on roles as detectives or wrongdoers.
Throughout and following his short films, Blake also made appearances in full-length feature films.
Once again, Carl Switzer, known as Alfalfa, appeared alongside Thomas “Buckwheat” Billie in the 1940 movie “You Love I.” In the 1942 film “Mokey,” Bobby Blake played the character with the same title, marking the first time he used his professional name.
Blake and his parents presented a contrasting perspective when he was a pre-teen. During the filming of the movie “Mokey” in 1942, when he was 8 years old, actress Donna Reed bestowed Robert Blake with his very first embrace, as he revealed to Entertainment Weekly. These words were spoken by a grown-up Robert Blake.
The dark-haired lad has a weekly allowance that is larger than most other youngsters his age. Bobby’s mother, who serves as his guardian, has seen that most of the youngster’s earnings are invested in U.S. Savings bonds. Speedy, a mock turtle named after Bobby, always returns to him as his address and name are stenciled on its back. However, Bobby has made several attempts to get Speedy to go away. In addition to having three pets – a cat, a dog, and a horse – Bobby also enjoys horseback riding and swimming. Like his father, Bobby is an avid fisherman and hunter.
Other notable films that featured Bobby Blake during the 1940s were:.
In 1956, Robert Blake appeared on an episode of Roy Rogers’ show with Trigger. In later years, Roy Rogers and Trigger appeared in two movies with Blake, “Way Out West in California” and “Champion.” In 1946, Gene Autry, another actor, starred in “Way Out West in California” and “Champion.” In the movie “The Last Round-up,” Blake appeared with famous horses and cowboy stars. In several movies in the 1940s, Bobby Blake co-starred with Rin Tin Tin III, where Rin Tin Tin was an animal star. Bobby Blake started his acting career as a child actor.
Eleven years ago, James Gubitosi was financially struggling, only able to secure part-time employment on a WPA project…This was not always the case. ‘The company transports us to various locations,’ stated the father…Both he and his father had spent a duration of four months in Africa and Europe, capturing footage for the film and exploring grandfather Mike’s hometown of Apice, Italy…He had recently returned from Africa…Where he portrayed the role of an Arab servant boy in ‘The Black Rose’, which was filmed in Morocco.
(Robert Blake / Mickey Gubitosi, age 15 & grandfather Michael Gubitosi 1949: The Herald-News)
The reality? Commencing in 1950, Robert Blake was conscripted into the Army, expelled from 5 secondary schools, mistreated substances and alcoholic beverages, fled from his residence during his adolescence, and affirmed in an interview as a grown-up.
Bobby Blake, a former player in the Western series Red Ryder and Gang Our comedies, has been traded for khaki moleskins in Beaver Little Army, Los Angeles, on May 29, 1953, according to The Spokesman-Review on May 30, 1953.
Blake, who had been honorably discharged from the Army and would never see her again, agreed to a settlement arranged by a priest between the girl’s family and the Army, as he had planned to kill her father, as he has been quoted as saying. While awaiting a court martial, he was placed in the stockade and her father had him arrested for statutory rape, abruptly ending their engagement. It was during his time stationed in Alaska, where he was performing in the Special Services as a sergeant, that he fell in love for the first time with a 16-year-old girl, as he revealed in an interview with the Los Angeles Times in 1992.
From Enrolling in Acting Courses to Instructing Acting
Robert Blake – An Actor Who’s Acting for His Life, by Don Page, The Los Angeles Times, September 16, 1966 – ‘The Army provided me with $100 per month to attend school…But I was unable to succeed at City College. I struggled to communicate with others. I had a residence in Laurel Canyon, which mainly revolved around indulging in alcohol, pursuing women, and consuming pills,’ Blake confesses that he experienced emotional turmoil during his early years and carried a significant burden due to his short stature and foreign appearance. He also had various other psychological issues, and upon his discharge from the Army in 1956, Bob was uniformly disturbed. ‘If it weren’t for acting, I would likely be involved in criminal activities today, or I would be deceased. I always believed that I would not survive beyond the age of 30.’
Corey Jeff, an actor who was blacklisted, started taking acting classes. He struggled to find acting work as he grew up, just like many other cute young kids. There were only a few acting jobs between the 1950s, but most of them were in theater, such as “Grey Zane and Arrow” (1959) and “Broken Kid Cisco” (1953). Bobby Blake, known for his appearances in TV westerns like “The Kid” (1952), might have caught the attention of dedicated baby boomer TV watchers when he began in 1952.
(Robert Blake 1957 26 Men)
Conway Pat, Burke Paul, Milner Martin, Moore Alvy, Merlin Jan, and Tryon Tom star in the film “WWII and the Screaming Eagles.” Milner Martin, Moore Alvy, Merlin Jan, and Tryon Tom star in the movie “Three Violent People” with Farr Jamie and Heston Charlton. Blake Bobby appeared alone in the 1956 film “The Rack,” starring Leachman Cloris and Newman Paul.
The Tijuana Story was another film featuring James Darren in 1957, with Robert Blake also appearing. In that same year, James Darren took on the role of Robert Blake in the crime drama Rumble on the Docks (1956), using his professional alias.
Others and Gavin MacLeod, along with Clarence Williams III (from Mod Squad), Martin Landau, Harry Dean Stanton, and George Peppard (from Banacek), were part of the cast of the Korean War movie Pork Chop Hill in 1959. However, in that same year, Blake turned down the role of Little Joe Cartwright on Bonanza. In 1959, Blake had a co-starring role in the prison break movie The Big House Revolt. He started to look for bigger roles and more work in movies.
Millie, a friend and actress, shared an apartment with Sandra, an ex-wife and fan of Jack Nicholson, as indicated in an “expose” magazine.
In January 1960, on the set of Screenland Plus TV-Land, Millie Perkins’ engagement was discussed by Dean Stockwell, a shy and slim classmate, while they took a coffee break. Millie’s affection grew stronger after she joined Blake’s class, where she had been a dedicated student and close friend of the esteemed Hollywood acting coach Robert Blake, Sandra.
Dean Stockwell, Millie Perkins, and Connie Stevens were enrolled in his acting academy. Shirley Knight (who was nominated for an Academy Award in 1961 and is currently starring in ‘Little Mary Sunshine’ in Hollywood) was even discovered by him for his staging of ‘Look Back in Anger.’ Actor Robert Blake claims ‘Hollywood is lacking originality,’ according to Dave Holland’s article in the Valley Times on November 25, 1961.
Matrimony, Offspring & Melancholy After the Brutal Slaying
(Sondra Kerr 1959)
In 1961, Blake Robert met Sondra Kerr, an actress, backstage at a play where they were both performing. They got married in November 1965 and had a daughter, Delinah, in 1966, and a son, Noah.
He started psychological treatment that lasted for numerous years (he shared with Entertainment Weekly in 1993, over 30 years).
Robert Blake could be seen on television by baby boomers, appearing alongside Keir Dullea and starring Peter Mark Richman in an installment of the crime drama Cain’s Hundred, as well as in various episodes of TV shows such as Bat Masterson, Naked City, and The F.B.I.
Morgan Harry and Bochner Lloyd frequently appeared alongside each other on the anthology series “The Richard Boone Show” from 1963 to 1964. They also co-starred with him on “Have Gun – Will Travel” from 1960 to 1962, with Richard Boone making three guest appearances as an actor. Blake had the opportunity to work with Richard Boone on multiple occasions.
Movies like “Town Without Pity” (1961) starring Kirk Douglas, and “PT 109” (1963) starring Cliff Robertson and Robert Culp, as well as television shows like “Rawhide” where Robert Blake’s forte was westerns and movies. He appeared in 2 episodes, one of which starred Clint Eastwood as Kid the Billy, and another episode titled “Days of Valley Death” where Clint Eastwood also starred. In addition, Kirk Douglas starred in the movie “War Hunt” (1961).
In The Greatest Story Ever Told, released in 1965, Blake appeared alongside a star-studded cast including Max Von Sydow, Dorothy McGuire, Angela Lansbury, Pat Boone, David McCallum, Roddy McDowall, Sidney Poitier, Sal Mineo, Claude Rains, Telly Savalas, and John Wayne. Notably, Charlton Heston and Jamie Farr, who had previously worked with Robert Blake in the 1956 film Three Violent People, also joined the cast of The Greatest Story Ever Told.
(Robert Blake 1966 12 O’Clock High)
Robert Blake was also involved in other notable films during the mid-1960s, such as This Property is Condemned (1966), a romantic drama featuring Natalie Wood and Robert Redford.
Perry, a wanderer and serial murderer evading capture, had his breakthrough role in the dark biographical drama, In Cold Blood (1967).
After suffering from depression and needing psychiatric help, he couldn’t work for two years. People acclaimed Robert Blake’s critically performance in the movie Blood Cold In, which was based on Truman Capote’s book and portrayed his former acting teacher Jeff Corey as his father, the co-killer. The movie did well at the box office.
Television’s Baretta & Joe Dancer
Lola portrayed the character of Ross Katharine, an on-screen girlfriend of Cooper, who played the role of Sheriff Deputy. In the movie “Condemned is Property,” Boy Willie, played by Robert Redford, is pursued and chased by his co-star, Robert Blake, who starred as the title character. In this American Native crime drama, Robert Blake found success in both co-starring and starring roles. Prior to his role in “Cold Blood,” Robert Blake, a former child actor, had experienced depression but has since recovered.
Blake Robert was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama for his performance in the crime film Blue Glide Electra (1973), where he co-starred with Elliott Gould in a comedy crime busting (1974).
(Robert Blake as Detective Tony Baretta, with his pet cockatoo Fred 1975: ABC Television)
During the 3-year duration of the show, his acting in Baretta received high praise from critics. His spouse, Sondra Blake, made two appearances as a guest star on Baretta. Individuals belonging to the baby boomer generation might recall Robert Blake most prominently for his leading portrayal as Tony Baretta, an undercover detective from New York, on the television series Baretta (1975-1978).
Kojak, portrayed by Telly Savalas, won the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Series Emmy Award in 1975. Blake was also nominated for the same award in 1977. Additionally, he won the Best Actor in a Television Series Golden Globe Award in 1976.
In a series of talk show appearances to promote Baretta, Blake bared his soul and his previous drug abuse, telling Merv Griffin.
“I’ve sold drugs, used them, snorted them, done everything you can do to them.”
In the comedy Second-Hand Hearts (1981), Sondra Blake, who is also Blake’s wife, appeared alongside him. In the big-screen romantic comedy Coast to Coast (1980), Robert Blake starred alongside Dyan Cannon, Quinn Redecker, and Michael Lerner. After filming on Baretta ended, Blake took a few years off before returning to work in 1980.
In 1983, Robert Black played the role of a hard-boiled private detective named Joe Dancer in the TV movies “Murder and Monkey Mission” and “The Big Black Pill”, which helped create a television series.
In 1983, Blake Robert and Sondra divorced; they separated. The following year, Blake and Sondra appeared in different movies. Blake’s wife, Pat, and Hingle also appeared in the cast, as well as Curley as Neeley Ted. Others included in the cast were Men and Mice Of Small Lenny, played by Randy Quaid, and Milton George, who portrayed a drifter. Additionally, Blake served as an executive producer for the movie TV adaptation of Men and Mice Of, as well as for the movie Dancer Joe.
Town Breakdown in Chaos
Robert Blake was nominated for both the Lead Actor Award at the Emmys and the Golden Globe for his performance in Hoffa Jimmy. His co-stars in the movie, Blood Feud, included Michael Lerner, Jose Ferrer, Brian Dennehy, Edward Albert, Danny Aiello, Edgar J. Hoover, and Ernest Borgnine. The film was a dramatization of Senator Robert Kennedy’s pursuit of Jimmy Hoffa and aired on TV in 1983. Robert Blake, who is now over 50 years old, starred in the role of Hoffa Jimmy.
After spending a few years away from the film industry, Robert Blake, who played the Catholic priest Father Noah Rivers in the movie “Hardstep” (1985), may have been inspired by his experience in the Army in Alaska to write and create the TV movie “Town Hell”.
Blake, who experienced a nervous breakdown, suddenly resigned from Hell Town, a TV show that got canceled after airing 13 episodes. Alongside his former acting mentor Jeff Corey and Vonetta McGee as Sister Indigo, Blake had notable co-stars in the television series. The success of the TV movie served as inspiration for the creation of the 1985 TV series of Hell Town, in which Blake also had a leading role.
He told the Los Angeles Times that he could handle more film projects as well as work on Town Hell, and that the stress from his divorce and the aftermath was greater than other projects.
One morning, I realized that I had been only a few hours, maybe days away from sticking a gun in my mouth. I remember being terrified, but what I remember most is that I’ve always been a perfectionist and a fierce competitor. My soul has been hurt, my heart has been hurt… I could hardly breathe. I would be so uptight.
The John List Story: Day of Judgment is a true crime drama about John List, played by Robert Blake, and his wife Helen, played by Beverly d’Angelo. Their daughters, Eleanor List (played by Melinda Dillon) and Alma List (played by Carroll Baker), were also portrayed. In the movie, the three children and John’s wife are murdered in their own home. After a seven-year hiatus, John finally returns to the film with the assistance of a new psychiatrist to help him overcome his breakdown.
Robert Blake, Beverly D’Angelo, and David Caruso are showcased in this promotional video for Judgement Day: The John List Story.
He became a senior citizen in 1998 before making two big-screen feature films. He co-starred with Chris Cooper and Jennifer Lopez, Woody Harrelson, Wesley Snipes, and Robert Blake in the crime comedy Train Money (1995) and the thriller Highway Lost (1997) directed by David Lynch. His last credited feature film was Patricia Arquette and Bill Pullman starring in Lynch’s film.
The film preview for Lost Highway showcases a heavily adorned Robert Blake, Bill Pullman, and Patricia Arquette.
The Killing of Bonnie Lee Bakley
In 1998, she was arrested for having 7 Social Security cards and 5 driver’s licenses. Since the 1980s, Bakley had already acquired a long list of arrests, including passing bad checks, drug possession, as well as involvement in mail-order scams, targeting lonely hearts and selling nude pictures. In 1999, Bonnie Lee Bakley, a 43-year-old failed actress and unsuccessful model, was a successful con artist and Robert Blake, a 66-year-old artist, in a jazz club.
Bonnie Lee was obsessed with meeting celebrities, including Frankie Valli, Gary Busey, and Dean Martin. She claimed to have pursued them and even had a child with Jerry Lee, although DNA tests disproved this. Her goal was to marry one of these celebrities.
Blake Robert informed Shannon Christian that she gave birth to their daughter in 2000. They started a sexual relationship in 1999, while Bakley was pregnant. Brando Christian, Blake’s sister’s boyfriend, was serving a 10-year prison sentence for murdering him. Bakley had started sending pictures and writing letters to Christian before he was released from prison in 1996. She was also in a long-term relationship with Marlon Brando’s son, (Brando Christian). After getting married, she deserted her husbands nine times within an hour of meeting them. Before meeting Blake, she had met Lee Bonnie.
He said that he returned to the car to find Bakley still sitting in the passenger seat with his head in the shot. He said that he had left a gun there, so he returned to the restaurant to get it. He said that he went out to Blake’s car on a side street around the corner from the restaurant and found the couple who often ate at that restaurant, Bonnie Lee Bakley and Robert Blake. In May 2001, it was discovered that she was still running her mail order scam, targeting lonely hearts. Blake hired a private detective to gather information on Bakley. Bakley lived in a small guest house in San Fernando, where her visits were monitored. Temporary custody of Rose was given to Blake after he agreed to a pre-nup, and he married Bonnie Lee Bakley in November 2000.
The charges against Caldwell were dismissed as the jury was deadlocked with an 11-1 vote in favor of acquittal. In March 2005, the jury found Blake not guilty of the murder of Bakley, but guilty of solicitation. During Blake’s criminal trial, it was revealed that the gun retrieved from the restaurant was not the one used to kill Bakley. Blake’s legal bills were paid and he was charged with conspiracy to commit murder. Caldwell, who was Blake’s bodyguard, was held in jail without bail until his murder trial ended. In April 2002, Blake was arrested and charged with two counts of solicitation of murder, first-degree murder with special circumstances, and conspiracy to commit murder for the solicitation of his wife’s murder.
In November 2005, Caldwell was acquitted, but Robert Blake was held responsible for Bakley’s death in a civil trial. Following the affirmation of the civil suit appeal verdict in April 2008, the awarded amount was decreased to $15 million. In 2005, Bakley’s family initiated a lawsuit for compensation, resulting in Blake being mandated to pay $30 million. Concurrently, Blake filed for bankruptcy in February 2006, citing outstanding taxes and legal fees amounting to $3 million.
In the year 2012, an elder Robert Blake conversed with CNN’s Piers Morgan regarding the passing of his spouse Bonnie Lee Bakley.
The film, which focuses on the character of the stuntman played by Brad Pitt and his backstory, was released after being written by Quentin Tarantino. In the dedication for his 2021 novel, Hollywood Time Upon Once, the author mentioned Blake Robert, who in 2012 self-published his autobiography Love for Did I What: Rascal Tales and wrote it mostly out of the limelight, following his release from jail after his acquittal in 2005.
On March 9, 2023, Robert Blake – Bobby Blake – Mickey Gubitosi, a former member of That Little Rascal, passed away at the age of 89 as a result of heart ailment.