'Baretta' Actor , Robert Blake , Dead at 89.<br />According to the family <br />of Robert Blake, the award-<br />winning actor died at <br />his Los Angeles home <br />at the age of 89.<br />The actor's niece, Noreen Austin, released <br />a statement on March 9, saying that Blake, “passed away peacefully <br />surrounded by family by his side.".<br />According to Austin, the cause of <br />Blake's death was heart disease.<br />'Washington Post' reports that Blake was best known <br />for starring in television dramas in the 1970s before <br />famously going on trial for the murder of his wife.<br />'Washington Post' reports that Blake was best known <br />for starring in television dramas in the 1970s before <br />famously going on trial for the murder of his wife.<br />Blake starred in ABC's 'Baretta' series which ran <br />from 1975 to 1978, a role that earned him an Emmy <br />for outstanding lead actor in a drama series in 1975.<br />Blake starred in ABC's 'Baretta' series which ran <br />from 1975 to 1978, a role that earned him an Emmy <br />for outstanding lead actor in a drama series in 1975.<br />In 1976, he won<br />a Golden Globe Award <br />for the same role.<br />'Washington Post' reports that Blake's career <br />ended up being overshadowed by the nationally- <br />televised murder trial of his wife, Bonny Lee Bakley. .<br />'Washington Post' reports that Blake's career <br />ended up being overshadowed by the nationally- <br />televised murder trial of his wife, Bonny Lee Bakley. .<br />Following a highly-publicized <br />three-month trial in 2005, Blake was acquitted. .<br />However, 'Washington Post' reports <br />that a civil wrongful death lawsuit later<br />found Blake liable for his wife's death.<br />As a result, Blake was ordered to pay <br />$30 million to Bakley's family, <br />but the actor filed for bankruptcy. .<br />In 2011, Blake released a memoir <br />detailing his career and life entitled, <br />'Tales of a Rascal: What I Did for Love.'
