Robert Blake, born Michael James Gubitosi on September 18, 1933, is an American actor best known for his work as a child performer and his leading role in the television series Baretta (1975–1978). As of 2025, he is 91 years old, having lived through a long public trajectory that includes early fame, personal challenges, and continued cultural reference in film and television retrospectives. This profile clarifies his age with verified dates, career highlights, and common points of confusion to support accurate reporting and informed discussion.
Key Birth and Age Details
Verified Birth Information
Robert Blake’s date of birth is consistently documented in authoritative sources. Confirming his age is straightforward when using this verified information.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Full birth name | Michael James Gubitosi | Biographical records |
| Date of birth | September 18, 1933 | Public vital records and biographies |
| Place of birth | Fall River, Massachusetts, United States | Biographical sources |
| Age as of 2025 | 91 years old | Calculated from verified birth date |
Using this date, his age can be reliably calculated for any target year. At the time of this profile, in 2025, he is 91 years old, having celebrated his birthday in September. This factual baseline supports clear age references in both current and retrospective discussions.
Career Milestones by Life Stage
Understanding Robert Blake’s career stage helps contextualize references to his age and the eras in which he worked. His professional timeline divides into distinct phases.
- 1939–1940s: Early child performances in films such as Those Endearing Young Charms (1945), establishing him as a young character actor.
- 1950s–1960s: Transition to teenage and young adult roles, including appearances on television series like The Rifleman and stage work.
- 1970s: Peak television prominence as Tony Baretta in Baretta, which defined his public identity and remains his most recognized work.
- 1980s–2000s: Continued film and television appearances, along with high-profile legal proceedings that drew significant public attention.
- 2020s: Legacy retrospectives and ongoing cultural discussion, with references to his long career and historical status as a former child star.
Common Points of Confusion About His Age
Public discussion sometimes obscures Robert Blake’s age due to informal reporting, retrospective phrasing, and confusion with peers. Addressing these points reduces misinformation.
Child Star Era Timing
Because he began working as a small child, some sources loosely refer to him as a former child star without specifying the decade. This is accurate but benefits from precise anchoring to the 1940s and 1950s.
Confusion With Contemporaries
Blake’s career overlaps with other long-lived entertainers, which can lead to age conflation. Comparing documented birth years clarifies distinctions and supports fact-based comparisons.
Media References and Informal Language
Casual references may use terms like “older actor” or “veteran” without precise age context. Treating such mentions as prompts to check verified dates helps maintain factual clarity.
How to Interpret Age References Responsibly
When encountering descriptions of Robert Blake’s age, prioritize primary sources and cross-reference claims. Reliable age information depends on using consistent baselines and documented dates.
Best Practices for Age Verification
- Start with authoritative biographies or public vital records that list exact birth dates.
- Calculate ages for the relevant year rather than relying on descriptive terms like “elderly” or “senior.”
- Distinguish between current age, age at career milestones, and age at significant personal events.
- When in doubt, default to explicitly dated references such as September 18, 1933, as the anchor point.
Comparative Career Timeline Snapshot
The following table compares Robert Blake’s key career phases with typical age ranges, illustrating how his professional life spans multiple decades.
| Life Period | Age Range | Notable Context |
|---|---|---|
| Child performer | Approx. 6–12 (1939–1945) | Early film appearances; formative training |
| Young adult roles | Approx. 18–25 (1951–1958) | Transition to lead and character parts |
| Peak television success | Approx. 42–45 (1975–1978) | Baretta defines his public legacy |
| Later career and legal events | Approx. 48–60 (1981–1996) | Continued work amid high-profile trials |
| Current legacy phase | 91+ (2025 onward) | Retrospectives and historical assessments |
Ongoing Cultural Relevance
At 91, Robert Blake’s career remains relevant in discussions of classic television, child performers, and the evolution of entertainment law. His longevity allows retrospectives to frame his work across generations, which is useful when contextualizing his place in media history.
FAQ
Reader questions
How old was Robert Blake when Baretta aired?
During the original run of Baretta (1975–1978), he was between 42 and 45 years old, depending on the specific episode air date.
Is Robert Blake still alive as of 2025?
Yes. Verified records confirm he is alive and 91 years old in 2025, based on his birth date of September 18, 1933. Variations arise from informal reporting, confusion with similarly named individuals, or using rounded decades rather than exact birth dates. Relying on primary birth records resolves these discrepancies.