How 'Baretta' made Robert Blake a household name: 20/20 Jan 11 Part 3

WATCH THE FULL EPISODE OF 20/20: bit.ly/2FoBIgr
Blake played the title character of detective Tony Baretta in the hit 70s TV show, telling ABC News "I designed Baretta as my ideal self... People thought that was me... it just... wasn't true."

[@chakahill8782]

Rest in Peace Robert Blake. Thank you for all your hard work 🙏🏾♥️🕊️

[@felixmadison5736]

Robert Blake was a damn fine actor. One of the best.

[@cathyt144]

the program Baretta is the reason i fell in love with cockatoos. i now have 3 and love them like family. Thank you Mr Robert Blake for all the great memories. Much respect❤

[@michelel.egerton6369]

Rest in Peace, Robert Blake...another piece of my childhood gone

[@johnlizzi]

A true Artist and a no nonsense guy. Robert is real.

[@f.m.r.1437]

Mr. Blake is the funniest, most upfront guy in Hollywood or anywhere else. Love listening to his life stories.

[@LS-ki9ft]

I loved his legendary Carson interviews. Robert was so honestly brutal on the corporate television executives. You could tell he just really despised those guys.

[@jamiespino8418]

Baretta one of the best TV shows of 70s. It should be air again as Starsky and Hutch, 6 Million man, and so on Why not Baretta!!!!

[@rickjones1281]

Jamie you know why it's not on..😒

[@stclairstclair]

If you remember they did the same thing with the 6 million dollar man, But I agree why did they never put this into re-runs?

[@nieceyszymanski7746]

I am deeply saddened by Robert’s death. He was absolutely the hottest thing that walked. I just loved this guy do much. He was my youth. I am Robert Blake crazy. I have cried many tears since his death and have been watching anything and everything with his name on it. He was beautiful to me. Wish I knew him in person.

[@bobbybalderastheawesomedj3306]

Rest in paradise Robert Blake ❣️

[@honest6360]

My favorite when I was a little girl. RIP Robert ♥

[@lydialombardo5606]

I love this show, I remember watching this when I was a little girl.

[@LazyIRanch]

In 1975 I was a fourteen year old girl, and I was madly in love with Robert Blake! It had a lot to do with that snarky cockatoo. Now I'm 61 and I have a little Senegal parrot who mimics my Texas accent, "Thayt's Raght!" "Hay Y'all!"

[@ElmerForbusher]

This guy was better on the old school talk shows than just about anyone. And just telling stories. He didn’t sing or dance that I knew of. I was a teen when Baretta was in its’ prime, and had a chip on my shoulder, but wanted to be one of the good guys. I really identified with his Baretta character, and wore the same hat for years, and tried unsuccessfully not to light my smokes. It sent chills up my spine when he said “I’m sorry” on the gallows of In Cold Blood. I wish he had made a few more movies. Seen most of em, but he didnt get as much work, cause he “had issues” as people say now. As an adult, I can now say that was an understatement.

[@robertkatz6539]

Wish they would put this back on love this show and Robert is fantastic🌷

[@woodrowpreacely7521]

Idea of an undercover cop ain't no big deal anymore. Now even no life snitches try to 'play Beretta' (street theater) to set folks up.

[@CHRISRepAZ]

Loved this show. RIP Robert Blake.

[@The00Lisa00]

I did a Google search, Fred the bird is still alive! He's 105 years old☺️

[@janetclaireSays]

What a talented character he was. I hope he is at peace now, imagine the contrast!

[@zawhtikehtike2069]

My childhood memories Thank you very much.

[@michaelcapporta8222]

Robert Blake a true legend great actor👍

[@terryhawkins8191]

Mike Capporta Ikr...." Electra glide in Blue" was great !!!😢👍👍

[@mrsandmrhankerson4797]

I STILL LOVE ROBERT BLAKE ❤️

[@clasrock69]

I grew up in the 70s and I remember watching Beretta Beretta was cool he had that old Chevy four door he also had that white bird I even had the Beretta board game stay cool Robert Blake✌😎

[@halhitchcock740]

He liked to park his beat up old car next to the BMW to drive suits crazy.

[@timholt9948]

Couldn't wait for barrrta every week

[@jasonlangpaap9607]

What a great artist

[@dannatrotter5717]

Put Baretta reruns back on! I watched that show when I was in high school.

[@Nana91171]

I wish they would too! Baretta was the best show on at that time, and the song was excellent (Sammy Davis Jr.) Seems he's 'blacklisted' for by the bigwigs of lollywood. He (Blake) has a page here on the tube. I remember when what he was accused of doing happened; to this day, I seriously don't think he did it. Maybe he knew something, but him actually pulling the t-rig-ger...no, he didn't do that. There's some good documentaries here on the tube; according to the the docs, she had a reputation, and made many enemies because of the way she treated people. The innocent one was the baby daughter. I hope she's doing well for herself, and wish her all of the best. What a sad, sad situation.

[@cindienolin564]

I loved Barretta...i was a teen..but what a good show

[@trevmac8362]

Monday Night Football,All In The Family & Baretta were the only 3 shows all us in the family sat down and watched together (it was Golden Times)

[@katiezee2]

My favorite part was when Fred would answer the phone, clutching the receiver and say Hello Hello

[@brendabilotti1912]

That's how I wound up here! I was looking up information on Fred the cockatoo. He's still alive!

[@LazyIRanch]

@@brendabilotti1912 I'm so glad to know Fred's still squawking! Love those birds, and they really do live a long time. I have a little Senegal parrot who's at least 23 years old and will likely outlive me.

[@matrox]

Baretta was one of the Little Rascals in the 1930s.

[@josephvitielo1693]

1940s

[@matrox]

@@josephvitielo1693 He started in 39'.

[@rogermurray5582]

Rest in Peace Robert Blake

[@kidmack1121]

He was the most popular star in my middle school in '75 Even beat out Eastwood, McQueen et al

[@frankpaya690]

God damn, Robert Blake was hot when he was a young man.

[@jagger9031]

Blake was amazing in " In Cold Blood" as well

[@GOOSEYGOOSE9]

Baretta Had Made Actor Robert Blake A Household Name.And He Did.

[@phildaniels8868]

You'd never know he was 5'4" tall. Great camera work!

[@ThouSwell-zx3fd]

One of the many reasons I loved the show.. he was short and stocky like me 😄

[@josephvitielo1693]

​@@ThouSwell-zx3fdhe was very muscular also

[@ThouSwell-zx3fd]

@@josephvitielo1693 Yes indeed

[@malcolmcook7007]

Blake is a movie 🎥 legend! Beautiful brutal Film Legend reallty!

[@joannehines7806]

I was so in love with Baretta & Kojak!! Both were sexy as HELL!! 💘

[@genedaniels3695]

He was one of a kind,r I p Mr blake

[@hamishr2367]

Blake was the coolest guy ever

[@jszoradi8650]

I miss all these shows. They just don't make 'em like they used to 🥰👍

[@mikekeyton5181]

Rip Robert Blake to millions that seen you on the silver screen and television to our gang as The Little rascals farewell.....

[@matrox]

Hard to believe Baretta got that old in a blink of an eye.😵

[@suzanne1430]

We all do ..💔💔

[@anael169]

R.I.P. Robert Blake.

[@nancyericson4263]

It's too bad he's never been able to get one more big role. He's great.

[@kimmchenry4383]

My favorite back in the day RIP Robert

[@sbgoldma]

This is very cool 👍👍 Love Beretta!!!

[@itsmesia2469]

*Baretta

[@quinnreverance611]

This was pretty interesting!! Thanks ABC!!

[@rogerrambo4172]

I like the way Cher said 'Robert Brake in Balletta' 😂

[@PhoenixProdLLC]

I watched some of the videos on here of Blake as Baretta. 1. Wouldn't hurt to have a tv cop like that again, updated to 21stC values and 2. he could still be cast, but would be better off on film at this point, imnsho, if he isn't already. I've researched his trial. He got bent over but not all the way. One cop dragged a writer around with him and let him handle evidence. No bueno. 2. The chief of police publically declared Blake guilty before he'd even been tried, then retired. WTF!? THAT is called "poisoning the well" of public opinion, from which a jury had to be selected! That's beyond unprofessional, it violated Blake's civil rights. Finally, wether one thinks Bonnie "deserved" to be murdered is irrelevant. No doubt she was playing with fire all her life and labored under serious delusions about fame and wealth. But what happened to her wasn't justice, it was murder. And whatever anyone thinks about him, Blake was found NOT GUILTY. People would do will to remember that. And the civil trial? Puh-leeze! By those standards, 70% of Americans would be on the hook. So it's all cleared up and it's been cleared up as far as Blake goes. Which is why he's fully employable again if not in the states, certainly in overseas markets. Him being broke won't rewrite the Past by one jot. The price both he and Bonnie have paid should be enough by now to satisfy even the most sadistic psychopath.

[@LazyIRanch]

Bonnie was not a good person, but only he knows what really happened. I was married to a monster back in the 1990s, and I considered killing him, at least I was always armed and ready if he ever came after my family again (he murdered my Dad). Instead, I moved 1500 miles away and changed my identity. I'm still armed just in case he ever finds us. I still love Robert Blake, and I've loved him since I was a kid watching "Our Gang" reruns. He was the cutest little guy!

[@kidmack1121]

Where's parts one and two?

[@AFaceintheCrowd01]

He truly had it all -- and lost it all.

[@hardlines4]

Great show!

[@db90990]

It was one of my favorite TV shows to watch when I was a kid

[@albabelvedere5900]

Adoravo Baretta e il pappagallo

[@nieceyszymanski7746]

Loved Baretta!

[@Yola386]

I was about 9 years when I saw this show.

[@billslattery3550]

Blake is still innocent

[@ardeladimwit]

Robert Blake was a household name ever since Little Rascals.

[@josephvitielo1693]

Don't forget Little Beaver in Red Ryders movie

[@milart12]

150x on the Tonight Show!!!!. That must be some sort of record.

[@josephvitielo1693]

That's was the name of that tune

[@felixmadison5736]

I remember all those 'cop shows' like it was yesterday they were on the teewee. Being a Vietnam Vet it always made me laugh because every cop show had at least one episode about a crazy Vietnam Veteran. LOL!!

[@Lefab3470]

Blake?fExcept Baretta?What has he done famous?Nuts!He is still living on it!

[@booboobear9904]

Our Gang, Little Rascals, Mokey, after being a child star at MGM, he did films for different studios, did plays, and was nominated for an Oscar for his work in In Cold Blood. Also Electra Glide In Blue. He has done 6 made for tv films also and produced and started in Hell Town. He also wrote a book ,"Tales of a Rascal" . So yeah...Blake has been an actor since 1935, doing much more than just Baretta!

[@Lefab3470]

@@booboobear9904 of course but i meaned something very famous all over the world , not only in the US after most famous Barretta...

[@sahilprashar567]

for all of you who dont see the real picture here...this poor fellow now lives in poverty..im not trying to knock him,,i respect his work..its just sad,,he lost his fortune

[@young321bookie]

It's even sadder that he murdered his wife ffs, this guy is as heartless and as monstrous as it gets.

[@sahilprashar567]

@@young321bookie ron first of all his "wife" had a criminal past..research it..she was a con artist...this guy lost everything and now he is broke he paid the price..

[@young321bookie]

@@sahilprashar567 - I don't need to ask whether you're 'jewish' or not.

[@edgregory1]

Legal fees.

[@LS-ki9ft]

Robert Blake had his personal demons no doubt and who knows for sure if he had something to do with his ex's death. But one thing is for sure, he was a really good actor, and Baretta brought a lot of joy to millions of people who grew up in that era of television. RIP Robert

[@jjryan1352]

There's a great clip of Don Rickles taking the piss out of him on the Tonight Show. Dude looks like a mashup of Charles Bronson and Peter Falk.

[@patriciaalvarez6333]

Mi favorito me encantabavolver atras el tiempo

[@kemchobhenchod]

Wow they ended that with quite the cliffhanger.

[@noam65]

That was Sammy Davis Jr singing that song.

[@rickjones1281]

They replaced the Cowboy shows of the 50's & 60's

[@ardishorwich4601]

Love the bird!

[@anthonys1325]

RIP Robert Blake - 1933-2023

[@SUGAR_XYLER]

This man used to *shake my candy* 😁

[@Tino44954]

You're absolutely stunningly beautiful

[@latandrasession8789]

I watched him growing. Up I'm 54 now I'm still watching him maybe someday his kids will come around God bless you man maybe you should have stayed home that night

[@kimkelly5512]

Mannix was not a cop, he was a PI.

[@billslattery3550]

He is still innocent

[@lenblack1462]

Hardly.

[@raulduke6105]

How come it’s not on cable?

[@robertnilla]

i have always loved robert blake.. but his perfectionist personality gave him many troubles.. he was a genious!!

[@peaceworld5393]

What was the cockatoos name?

[@tonyfreeman1339]

Electraglide in Blue

[@terryhawkins8191]

Tony Freeman EXACTLY !!

[@ericandrews5108]

The bird was named Fred. RIP Robert Blake

[@cynthiacupler8005]

He acted his way out of prison.

[@showgirlsaroundtheworldada4484]

does anybody know what happened to robert blakes youtube channel? it looks gone

[@manuelriquelme1891]

Estas eran mis series favoritas yotras mas ahora dan puras cosas pencas y fome en canales porque no las repiten si tienen archivos??

[@michaelpowell5266]

02:55- if only Robert Blake had heeded James Garner's advice. After all, Stephen J. Cannell employed them at Universal. Garner had the best working relationship with Cannell, Blake, not so much- he was overly consumed with attempting to perfect his acting craft. I didn't realize that Blake ended Baretta, because of his personal frustrations- by the same token, The Rockford Files ended in 1980, due to Garner's health problems. Enough to make you think of what would've became of Baretta if it had continued!!!

[@crystalclearmedia3554]

Rest In Peace

[@doloresvargas6450]

I had his beret.Tony

[@sthompson4049]

It would have been a good night to stay at home. Wow

[@gterrymed]

write a book "Did He Kill His Wife?---The Unauthorized Biography of Robert Blake" . . . it would sell a million copies

[@JohnnySalMusic1]

0:55 Cher says & the winner is....Robert BRAKE,......BALETTA......LOL

[@christinad4432]

I dont know why, but I like em.😊

[@Motown-1966]

Robert Blake was supposed to take over the role of Detective David Toma originally portrayed by Tony Musante from that same titled show Toma (1973) which was based on a real life NYC cop that lasted only one season due to Musante not wanting to get type casted: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rYaqpWOebqpqp80 (aan entire episode of the show here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5jcq6d_qJqhbZo ). Here's the real life former Detective David Toma speaking on it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hKqapqChfc1_qqM However, Blake didn't like the idea of stepping into an already established role so Toma became Baretta.

[@josephvitielo1693]

Newark NJ cop

[@paulmactavish3355]

SPEAK THE TRUTH, BUFFALO EAGLE, TRUE STORY, THANKS 🐃

[@divid204]

RIP

[@halhitchcock740]

Beretta! 🐓 a too

[@marialuciliadossantos1062]

Não tem comentário em português que pena nem o filme coloca filme em português falou

[@prakashramadhar7410]

Anyone can tell me his tv name? Was it Tony Baretta or something else? I know his real name is robert blake but what was his tv name?

[@Tigerman1138]

IMDb.com Look it up.

[@wallissadberry8460]

At 2:48!U know you won't see that on ABC now! Or about anywhere else, remember controversy over TV violence, Baretta was cited,even now edgy.

[@user-yb8ex8uf3b]

Toma

[@leostawicki7283]

HELLTOWN was Baretta in priests clothes...

[@markliccione5648]

Rob Blake is a classic, but George Stuffinenvelopes is a fraud

[@Ahrimann666]

6:13 ufo

[@mariadelcarmengonzalezcart8243]

Español

[@brianlewis6697]

Al l

[@torgman]

Mannix wasn't a cop.

[@natwolf687]

He was a private cop.

[@torgman]

@@natwolf687 He was a private dectective, like the others were police detectives. Had the person they interviewed said the detective show was king and that everyone had to have their own detective shows, that would've been more precise.

[@bodijisattva9333]

Complicated dude

[@albertooliva8636]

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