Actor Robert Blake starred in the television detective drama from 1975 to 1978.

Don't do the crime if you can't do the time. So said actor Robert Blake's NY Det. Anthony Baretta. Robert Blake starred in the fact-based television detective drama Baretta from 1975 to 1978. Baretta was a tough, take no crap, undercover street cop who used his ability to disguise himself to bring down the bad guys. In this time of political correctness, the Baretta episodes appear jarringly insensitive. Nevertheless it remains one of the best detective shows of the 70's. Baretta's co-star and best friend was a beautiful scene stealing white cockatoo named Fred; his human friend was Billy Truman, a wise ex-cop played nicely by veteran actor Tom Ewell. Baretta's 'snitch' was a flamboyant informant (Michael D. Roberts) who answered to the name of Rooster. Roberts can be seen in the Bruce Willis action/mystery movie Hostage.

After Baretta ended Blake's career did not die, it simply did not move forward. It's hard to believe that the Robert Blake we have been watching on television is the same man who played Baretta many years ago. After his acquital of his wife's murder, my guess is Blake will receive countless offers for reality television shows. Whatever happens, there was and is no other TV detective like the unconventional, in-your-face undercover cop, Tony Baretta. Toma fans will remember that Baretta was first introduced in the Toma television series. Actor Tony Musante had the lead in the Toma series as Detective David Toma, Baretta was a secondary character.

Incidentally Toma is not fictional. David Toma is an ex undercover New Jersey detective, who has on the lecture circuit. He has written several books which can be found on his web site. You also get a chance to see the real Toma in several of his many disguises. See it and the Baretta Court TV trial information in related links.

Baretta is available from Amazon.