Robert Blake died at the age of 89.
Robert Blake, the actor whose life was as much a topic off-screen as it was on, has died.
Blake died Thursday from heart disease at home, surrounded by loved ones, according to a statement issued to the Press Association on behest of Blake's niece, Noreen Austin.
Blake was notoriously charged in 2001 with the murder of his second wife, Bonny Lee Bakley, who was discovered dead outside Vitello's restaurant in Los Angeles. Bakley was shot in the head while riding in Blake's car.
Blake informed detectives that Bakley was shot and murdered when he returned to the restaurant to collect a weapon. His firearm was eventually revealed not to be the murder weapon.
Blake's trial lasted nearly three months, but he was eventually found not guilty of murder and not guilty of one of two counts of solicitation of murder... the second solicitation of murder allegation was later dropped as well.
Blake's Hollywood career spanned more than 50 years, including roles in films such as "In Cold Blood," "Lost Highway," and "Treasure of the Sierra Madre." He also played Tony Baretta in "Baretta," for which he earned an Emmy in 1975.
Blake was 89 years old.
