His niece, Noreen Austin, confirmed the news.
His final feature film role was inLost Highway(1997), directed by David Lynch.
It was a spinoff from another ABC crime drama,Toma,that debuted in 1973.
Robert Blake in ‘Baretta’Everett Collection
Several years later, Blake was cast as the lead of NBC dramaHell Town.
The series lasted only a handful of episodes in 1985.
He is also remembered as a pitchman in commercials for STP, Geico and others.
But there was also a darker side to the Blake story.
And though Bakleys children won a wrongful-death suit against Blake shortly thereafter, her killing officially remains unsolved.
During the course of the trial, their unhappy marriage details became sensational news fodder.
It was revealed that Bakley had at least a dozen aliases and 10 former husbands.
Thus, the motive for Blake, who referred to his wife as a pig, was established.
But the jury didnt believe the stuntmans testimony, thanks to his history of drug abuse.
The judge ordered that Blake be given back his passport and $1.5 million bail.
A private memorial service will be held to honor his life.
In lieu of flowers, his family requests that donations be made toCity of Hope.
Erik Pedersen contributed to this report.
