Robert Blake unleashes during Piers Morgan interview (Video)

(CNN) -- Actor Robert Blake accused CNN's Piers Morgan of calling him a liar in a combative, profanity-laced interview that was more remarkable for its tone than revelations surrounding his acquittal in the 2001 murder of his wife.


Blake, 78, said he agreed to appear on the show Wednesday to promote his self-published memoir "Tales Of A Rascal," telling Morgan that the book was not about his late wife, Bonnie Lee Bakley, or their relationship.


"I made a deal to come here and talk about anybody from the book," Blake said after Morgan asked about his feelings about the case.


"I excused you from that deal because I thought you were going to be cool. Now you're trying to (bleep) into the ground."


Blake was acquitted in 2005 in connection with the murder of Bakley, though that same year he was found liable for her death in a wrongful death lawsuit and ordered to pay $30 million. Blake subsequently filed for bankruptcy.


When Morgan asked about the case, including the civil suit, Blake demanded: "Do you know why I was arrested?"