"Baretta" is an American detective television series that ran from 1975 to 1978 on ABC.
It was created by Stephen J. Cannell and was a revised version of a 1973-74 ABC series,
"Toma."
The series features Robert Blake as the main character, Detective Tony Baretta, a rough-around-the-edges
but soft-hearted undercover cop with the NYPD who solves crimes while dealing with issues
in his personal life.
"Baretta" was notable for its blend of dark themes and humor, its catchy theme song "Keep
Your Eye on the Sparrow," performed by Sammy Davis Jr., and the pet cockatoo, Fred, who
was Baretta's companion.
Despite its relatively short run, the series gained a cult following and had a significant
impact on popular culture.
However, its legacy has been somewhat overshadowed by the controversy and legal troubles of its
star, Robert Blake, and the passing of some of the main cast members.
Join Facts Verse, as we present: How Each Baretta Cast Member Died
Robert Blake Robert Blake was born Michael James Gubitosi
on September 18, 1933, in Nutley, New Jersey.
Blake's career began as a child actor, appearing in the "Our Gang" series of short films in
the late 1930s and early 1940s.
He then appeared in various film and television roles throughout the 1940s and 1950s, including
the lead role in the film "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre" (1948).
Blake gained further recognition for his role as Perry Smith in the film "In Cold Blood"
(1967), which earned him critical acclaim.
His most famous role came in 1975 when he starred as the titular character in "Baretta."
The role earned him an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series in 1975.
After "Baretta" ended in 1978, Blake continued to act in various film and television roles,
but his career waned in the 1980s.
The Robert Blake murder trial was one of the most sensational celebrity trials of the early
21st century.
Robert was arrested and charged with the murder of his wife, Bonny Lee Bakley, in 2001.
Bakley was shot to death on May 4, 2001, as she sat in Blake's car, which was parked on
a side street near Vitello's Restaurant in Studio City, Los Angeles, where the couple
had just dined.
Blake claimed that he had returned to the restaurant to retrieve a gun he had accidentally
left behind and discovered his wife's body upon returning to the car.
However, the Los Angeles Police Department soon became suspicious of his story, and after
a year-long investigation, Blake was arrested on April 18, 2002, and charged with one count
of murder with special circumstances, an offense that could have resulted in the death penalty.
The prosecution argued that Blake had despised his wife and had motive to kill her, as he
believed she had trapped him into a loveless marriage by getting pregnant.
They presented evidence that Blake had tried to hire two stuntmen, Ronald "Duffy" Hambleton
and Gary McLarty, to kill Bakley in the months before her death.
Both stuntmen testified that Blake had solicited them to murder his wife, but both also had
a history of drug abuse and their credibility was questioned by the defense.
Defense lawyers argued that there was no direct evidence linking Blake to the murder and suggested
that the real killer could have been one of the many men Bakley had allegedly scammed
over the years.
They also noted that no gunshot residue was found on Blake's hands and no blood was found
on his clothing.
On March 16, 2004, after a nine-week trial and nine days of deliberation, the jury acquitted
Blake of all charges, including the two counts of solicitation of murder.
The verdict was met with surprise by many legal experts, who believed the prosecution
had presented a strong case.
Despite his criminal acquittal, a civil court later found Blake liable for Bakley's wrongful
death in a lawsuit filed by her children.
On November 18, 2005, Blake was ordered to pay $30 million in damages to Bakley's children.
However, Blake filed for bankruptcy the following year.
The trial and its aftermath had a significant impact on Blake's career and public image.
Despite his acquittal, the controversy surrounding the case effectively ended his acting career,
and he remained a controversial figure.
He died on March 9, 2023, of heart failure at age 89.
Tom Ewell Tom Ewell, born Samuel Yewell Tompkins on
April 29, 1909, in Owensboro, Kentucky, was an American actor best known for his roles
in the film "The Seven Year Itch" (1955) and the series "Baretta."
Ewell began his acting career in the theater, appearing in various Broadway productions
in the 1930s and 1940s.
He made his film debut in "They Knew What They Wanted" (1940) and appeared in supporting
roles in several films throughout the 1940s.
Ewell gained widespread recognition and critical acclaim for his role in the film "Adam's Rib"
(1949), for which he received a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor.
His most famous role came in 1955 when he starred opposite Marilyn Monroe in "The Seven
Year Itch."
His performance earned him a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Comedy or Musical.
Ewell continued to work steadily in film and television throughout the 1960s and 1970s,
including a recurring role as Billy Truman in the television series "Baretta."
In his later years, Ewell continued to act in occasional film and television roles but
worked less frequently.
He passed away on September 12, 1994, in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California, from undisclosed
causes.
He was 85 years old.
Michael D. Roberts Michael D. Roberts was born on December 25,
1947, in Brooklyn, He began his acting career in the 1970s with guest appearances on popular
television shows such as "Good Times," "The Jeffersons," and "What's Happening!!"
He gained recognition for his role as Rooster in "Baretta” - a streetwise informant who
often provides Baretta with crucial information to solve his cases.
In addition to his work on "Baretta," Roberts appeared in a variety of television shows
and films throughout the 1980s and 1990s, including "Manimal," "The Night Stalker,"
and "Rain Man" (1988).
He also had a recurring role as Angelo in the television series "Manimal" (1983).
His appearances in film and television have become less frequent in recent years.
His last known acting credit was in the television series "The First Family" in 2012.
He’s been married to actress Pamela Frey since 1996, whom he met in an acting class.
He’s also said to be a member of the Church of Scientology.
Edward Grover Edward Grover was born on February 2, 1934,
in Modesto, California, USA.
Grover began his acting career in the 1960s with guest appearances on popular television
shows such as "The Fugitive," "The Big Valley," and "Gunsmoke."
He gained recognition for his role as Inspector Shiller in "Baretta" (1975-1978), where he
played Baretta's superior officer at the NYPD.
In addition to his work on "Baretta," Grover appeared in a variety of television shows
and films throughout the 1970s and 1980s, including "Kojak," "Starsky and Hutch," and
"The Streets of San Francisco."
He also had a recurring role as Capt.
Lester V. Griffin in the television series "Trapper John, M.D."
Grover continued to work as an actor until his retirement in the late 1980s.
He died in Rolling Hills Estates, CA in November of 2016, of unknown causes.
He was 84 years old.
Dana Elcar Dana Elcar was born Ibsen Dana Elcar on October
10, 1927, in Ferndale, Michigan, USA.
He was an American actor best known for his role as Peter Thornton in the television series
"MacGyver" (1985-1992).
Elcar's acting career spanned over four decades, and he appeared in a wide variety of television
shows and films.
He made guest appearances on popular television shows such as "Gunsmoke," "The Twilight Zone,"
and "The Fugitive" in the 1960s.
He also appeared in films such as "Fail-Safe" (1964) and "The Sting" (1973).
In the 1970s, he had a recurring role as Inspector Shiller on "Baretta".
In the mid-1990s, Elcar began to suffer from macular degeneration, a condition that eventually
led to blindness.
Despite this, he continued to act, and his condition was even written into the "MacGyver"
series, with his character also developing the disease.
Dana Elcar passed away on June 6, 2005, in Ventura, California, from complications of
pneumonia.
He was 77 years old.
Elcar's career is a testament to his talent and resilience as an actor.
Despite facing significant health challenges in his later years, he continued to work and
bring his characters to life on screen.
Chino 'Fats' Williams Chino 'Fats' Williams, born William Rudolph
Williams on October 4, 1934, in Nassau, Bahamas, was a Bahamian-American actor known for his
supporting roles in films and television series.
Williams began his acting career in the 1970s and appeared in over 80 films and television
shows during his career.
He was often cast in tough-guy roles and played a variety of characters, including bouncers,
bodyguards, and henchmen.
Some of his notable film credits include "The Jerk" (1979), "Rocky III" (1982), "Weird Science"
(1985), and "The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!"
(1988).
He also appeared in television series such as "The Dukes of Hazzard," "The A-Team," and
"Hill Street Blues."
Williams was known for his imposing physical presence and deep voice, which made him a
memorable presence on screen.
Despite often being cast in minor or supporting roles, he managed to leave a lasting impression
on audiences and developed a cult following.
Chino 'Fats' Williams passed away on October 19, 2017, in Los Angeles, California, USA.
The cause of his death has not been publicly disclosed.
Now it’s time to hear from you.
Did the controversy and murder trial of Robert Blake change the way you view the show Baretta?
Let us know in the comments section below!