Robert Blake in pictures: From Hollywood to murder accused

Robert Blake stood trial in Los Angeles County Superior Court California in 2003 faced with charges in the murder of his wife Bonnie Lee Bakely. He was acquitted, but was later found liable for her death in civil court.

The US actor Robert Blake has died aged 89.

Blake, who started acting at the age of six, was best known for his role as detective Tony Baretta in the 1970s TV series Baretta.

He starred in numerous other films and TV dramas during a career that spanned nearly six decades.

In 2002, he was charged with murdering his second wife Bonnie Lee Bakely.

Acquitted in 2005, he was later found liable for her death by a civil jury and ordered to pay her family $30 million, a move which bankrupted him.

• Who was actor Robert Blake?

Robert Blake was known for his role in TV crime series Baretta. He won an Emmy award for playing police detective Tony Baretta in the show, which ran from 1975 to 1978. Here he is pictured with his character's pet cockatoo in 1976.

Born in New Jersey, Blake (first from left) began his career as a child actor, appearing in the Our Gang comedy series after his family moved to California.

One of his greatest roles was in the 1967 adaptation of Truman Capote's novel In Cold Blood, in which he portrayed real-life murderer Perry Smith.

He also had a role on the 1985 NBC series Hell Town in which he played a priest working in a tough neighbourhood.

In the film Tell Them Willie Boy Is Here, in 1969, he played alongside Katharine Ross.

He also appeared in the film Money Train in 1995, playing Captain Donald Patterson.

Blake also had a starring role in several films for Paramount Pictures, including Second-Hand Hearts in 1981.

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