Yes, in the comedy short series "Little Rascals," Robert Blake played Mickey Gubitosi.
In the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer short film series "Our Gang," also known as "Little Rascals," from 1939 to 1944, Robert Blake made his acting debut. The short comedic skits about the misadventures of the poor neighborhood kids served as the basis for the entire series. Hal Roach, who produced the movie "Our Gang," came up with the idea because he preferred using children's natural acting abilities to those of adult actors.
When MGM started making the short films in-house, more than ten years into the "Our Gang" movies, Robert Blake's character finally made an appearance on screen. Prior to using Bobby or Robert Blake as his stage name in 1942, he was credited as "Mickey Gubitosi" or occasionally just "Mickey," which is his given name. Robert frequently had teary eyes, which audiences at the time found "unbelievable." According to Leonard Maltin's book, "Little Rascals: The Life and Times of Our Gang," his character was also called "obnoxious" and "whiny" by audience members.
After MGM canceled its "Our Gang" series in 1944, Robert moved on to the Red Ryder western film series at what is now “CBS,” where he was given a Child Achievement Award in 1945. Following his enlistment in the American Army, his career would resume after a brief hiatus. He wasn't given the name Robert Blake until 1956.
How did Robert Blake die?
Robert Blake, an 89-year-old American actor, died of a heart disease on March 9, 2023. According to his niece, Noreen Austin, he passed away while his family was present at his New York residence.
David Harrison Levi, a humanitarian, author, and music producer, shared a photo on Facebook to express his sorrow. He captioned it as follows: "Died: March 9, 2023; my love thoughts, prayers, condolences, and sympathy to family, friends, and fans everywhere. David Harrison Levi." On Facebook, Blake's casting director, Dori Zuckerman, also paid tribute, stating that she had known Blake since 1998 and that they had both been abandoned as young children. According to Dori, she visited him in jail and was present in the courtroom with his children during the trial.
She said: "Before he was arrested, he told me what had happened that night and who was responsible for killing Bonny. The ABC special that aired years later about the murder was close to the truth, proving he didn't do it. They touched on the right person responsible, but in the end pointed the finger at the wrong person. He never told the story to any press."
On March 12, 2023, at the 95th Academy Awards, comedian Jimmy Kimmel said something that was later deemed offensive and callous due to the actor's recent passing. In response to the question of whether Blake should be featured in the yearly "In Memoriam" montage.
Kimmel said: "Everybody, please get out your phones; it is time to vote, even at home. If you think Robert Blake should be included in the "In Memoriam" montage, text "GIMME-A-Blake" to the number on your screen or any number."
Who is Robert Blake?
Michael James Gubitosi, also known as Robert Blake, was born on September 18, 1933, and is a well-known American actor who has won both a Golden Globe and an Emmy for his work. His most well-known roles include those in the 1967 film "In Cold Blood" and the late 1970s television series "Baretta," in which he played the title character.
Blake started his career in the 1930s. From 1939 to 1944, he played the lead character in the "Our Gang (Little Rascals)" short film series produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, which helped launch his career as a child actor.
Blake returned to acting after serving in the American Army, taking on roles in both films and television. Up until the 1997 film "Lost Highway," Blake kept acting. Blake's career was dubbed "one of the longest in Hollywood history" by author Michael Newton because he was one of the first child actors to successfully transition into adult roles.
What was the net worth of Robert Blake?
The net worth of Robert Blake was estimated to be $-3 million at the time of his death in March 2023. Regrettably, Robert Blake became embroiled in controversy in 2001 after being accused of killing his second wife, Bonnie Lee Bakley.
He was ultimately found not guilty in 2005, after a protracted trial that lasted several years. However, Robert was found liable for his wife's death after a wrongful death lawsuit was filed against him in California, and he suffered serious financial repercussions as a result. Robert Blake declared bankruptcy in 2006, shortly after being mandated to pay a $30 million settlement to Bonnie Lee's estate. He listed liabilities totaling $3 million. The actor was the subject of a lien filed by the state of California in 2010 for unpaid back taxes totaling $1,110,878.
According to reports, Robert also owed a lot in legal fees. In light of these monetary difficulties, Blake thought about going back into the entertainment industry. He did, however, declare that he felt "half-dead" and would not be going back to Hollywood when he was 85 years old.
