Robert Blake Dead: The ‘Baretta’ Star Who Faced Murder Charges Was 89

Former child star Robert Blake, one of the members of the early Our Gang film shorts to find success as an adult actor, died Wednesday at his Los Angeles home after a long battle with heart disease. His niece, Noreen Austin, confirmed the news. He was 89.

Born Michael James Gubitosi on September 18, 1933 in Nutley, New Jersey, Blake began acting at the age of five under his birth name in the final years of the Our Gang (aka Little Rascals) short film series, then produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. He continued as a child actor in the Red Ryder film franchise.