Actor Blake’s wife buried
Published 9:00 pm Friday, May 25, 2001
Associated Press
LOS ANGELES – Actor Robert Blake, looking haggard and somber, spoke fondly of his slain wife during a brief funeral Friday that drew more reporters than mourners and none of Bonny Lee Bakley’s family.
The former “Baretta” actor held the couple’s daughter, Rose Lenore Sophie Blake, who will turn 1 on June 2, on his lap during part of the service. He was flanked by his adult son and daughter from another marriage.
During the service, Blake stood at graveside and said in a near whisper: “It’s because of Bonny that Rosie was born. It was her will, her conviction, not mine, her dedication that brought Rosie into this world, and for that I thank God and I thank Bonny.
“I stand here before God and I make this pledge that as long as he gives me breath I will do everything I can to make our daughter Rosie’s life the best I can.”
Blake’s comment about Bakley’s decision to have the baby apparently referred to tape recordings released since her death showing that Blake tried to persuade her to have an abortion.
While the service took place, Fox News interviewed Margerry Bakley in New York, who alleged that Blake killed her sister. She said she did not attend the funeral because she didn’t want to associate with Blake. She also criticized him for betraying the wishes of her family, which wanted Bakley cremated.
“There’s no love at that funeral,” she said.
The service at Forest Lawn Memorial Park took place three weeks after Bakley, 44, was found shot to death in Blake’s car outside a Studio City restaurant.
Blake thanked Bakley’s family for allowing him to bury Bakley so their daughter could visit her mother’s grave.
The 67-year-old actor arrived at the cemetery in a white sport utility vehicle and approached the grave site holding hands with his adult daughter, Delinah, who held the baby. They joined other Blake family members, lawyers and friends under a green canopy, where they sat and listened to prayers delivered by a Roman Catholic priest.
During the 10-minute ceremony, there was no mention of the way Bakley died.
An Associated Press reporter and photographer, a TV reporter and two cameras were allowed at the grave site. The public was kept away. No interviews were allowed and the family left in silence.
The cemetery is the final resting place for many of Hollywood’s most famous movie stars.
Blake arranged the service for Bakley, who claimed to have had relationships with several celebrities and told friends that socializing with the famous made her feel she was better than others.
She married Blake after DNA tests showed the child was his.
Police have made no arrests and have sealed all documents in the case. Although police have not ruled out Blake as a suspect, his lawyer, Harland Braun, has contended many people may have had a motive to kill Bakley.
Braun has portrayed Bakley as a celebrity-obsessed swindler who preyed on lonely men for money, but he said Blake wanted a dignified funeral for her.
Plans for two earlier services were scrapped because of concern about disruption by the media.
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