Los Angeles — Actor Robert Blake, whose career stretched from child actor to Emmy-winning role as the cockatoo-owning undercover cop in the popular 1970s TV series “Baretta,” died of heart disease at his home here March 9. He was 89.

Blake was perhaps best known for his trial following the 2001 murder of his wife, of which he was acquitted.

And there’s an MST3K connection to the trial. Gary McLarty and Ronald (Duffy) Hambleton, both of whom had small roles in the movie in episode 512- MITCHELL, testified against Blake at the trial. McLarty played one of Mistretta’s henchmen and Hambleton played mob boss Edmondo Bocca, who gets dropped by Mitchell just short of the green. Both testified that Blake explicitly discussed killing his wife. But, unfortunately for the prosecution, both of these guys had somewhat checkered pasts. Blake’s defense team successfully undermined the credibility of both witnesses, introducing evidence of mental illness, drug addiction, etc. In the end, their testimony may have actually helped Blake get off.

Variety has the story.

MSTies may recall that he was mentioned in host segments in episodes 304- GAMERA VS. BARUGON and 305- STRANDED IN SPACE.