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.

BEVERLY HILLS, CALIF. — Bert I. Gordon, the sci-fi director who, in the 1950s and ’60s, created numerous low-budget films featuring colossal creatures, shrinking humans and radioactive monsters, died at his home here March 8, of complications from a fall. He was 100.

Gordon loomed large over MST3K for several seasons. He was the producer/director of the movies in episodes 313- EARTH VS. THE SPIDER, 319- WAR OF THE COLOSSAL BEAST, 517- THE BEGINNING OF THE END (in which he was mentioned in a host segment), 523- VILLAGE OF THE GIANTS, 411- THE MAGIC SWORD, 414- TORMENTED, 411- THE MAGIC SWORD, 309- THE AMAZING COLOSSAL MAN and 210- KING DINOSAUR.
1924: Albert Gramaglia, sound re-recordist for the movie in episode 817- HORROR OF PARTY BEACH and recording mixer for the movie in episode 1012- SQUIRM.

The Hollywood Reporter has the story.

Thanks to Tim for the heads up.

THAILAND — Ted Thomas, the legendary voice actor who lent his voice to dozens of film productions in the 1960s and ’70s, died here in November. He was 93.

He did voices for such movies as “Dogora the Space Monster” (1964), “Godzilla vs. Gigan” “Gamera Super Monster” (1980) and “Mighty Peking Man.”

MSTies will remember his performances in episodes 212- GODZILLA VS. MEGALON (as Emperor Antonio), K04/304- GAMERA VS. BARUGON (as Kawajiri) and K06/308- GAMERA VS. GAOS (as Kanamura).

This blog has the story.

Thanks to Paul for the heads up.