Actor blighted by wife murder trial dies at 89

ACTOR Robert Blake, whose career was overshadowed by accusations that he murdered his wife, has died at the age of 89.

- Mark Reynolds

The Emmy award winner, best known as the star of 1970s television detective series Baretta, also starred in the 1997 David Lynch film Lost Highway.

But his career never fully recovered after his wife's fatal shooting in 2001.

Blake was charged with her murder and acquitted, but later found liable for her death in civil court.

Announcing his death yesterday, his family said he had died "peacefully with family and friends" at his home in Los Angeles.

A statement released by his niece Noreen Austin said the US star had died from heart disease.

The former child actor had hoped for a comeback after his fall from grace. But he never recovered from the long shadow cast by his wife Bonny Lee Bakley being shot dead outside a restaurant in Studio City, Los Angeles, on May 4, 2001.

Once hailed as among the finest actors of his generation, the famous TV cop became better known for a real-life murder trial, a story more bizarre than any he starred in.