In the late 1950s, when Americans were focusing their fascination with outer space and the mysteries it held, Robert H. Borlek fed their children’s imaginations by portraying a dashing, masked astronaut intent on saving the world.
As Commander 5, Mr. Borlek played the lead role in the local children’s television show of the same name that was set inside a fictional rocket ship. The show, which ran for five years on NBC in Chicago, featured Commander 5 as the hero whose sidekicks were a puppet named Max the Martian and another astronaut, Stubby, who provided comic relief.
When the show went off the air, Mr. Borlek continued his acting career in Chicago theaters with roles such as the scarecrow in “The Wizard of Oz” and Gaston in “Gigi.”
Mr. Borlek, 75, died Tuesday, March 7, at the Methodist Home in Chicago after a long illness following a stroke.
Born and raised in Chicago, Mr. Borlek graduated from Schurz High School. During World War II, he served as a medic.
He had theatrical roots, with his aunts playing in vaudeville and the Ziegfeld Follies and an uncle who was a television star in Canada. After his military service, Mr. Borlek successfully auditioned for a spot in the Goodman Theater’s acting school.
Acting provided a needed outlet for Mr. Borlek, said his daughter, Robin Sinclair.
“It gave him a chance to express feelings that he otherwise had a hard time doing,” she said.
He met his wife, Barbara Moro, during a Chicago run of the play, “Without Love,” in which the couple played opposite each other in romantic roles. She later became the host of the “Barbara Moro Show,” a television talk show on WMAQ-TV.
Mr. Borlek, whose nickname was the “Silver Fox” after he prematurely went gray in his late 30s, preferred playing Shakespearean leads and romantic roles. As a way to connect to his daughter, Mr. Borlek often read Shakespeare to her when she was a child.
Mr. Borlek worked for the advertising firm of Fuller, Smith and Ross, where he produced and directed several television commercials for Wrigley Gum, Skil Power Tools and Breck shampoo. He thrived on the challenge of telling a story about the product within the short time a commercial offered, and he had a fine eye for detail, his daughter said.
“He would look for something that would catch your eye and keep you interested,” she said.
He once spent hours on a commercial for Breck hair shampoo, reshooting it until light fell just the right way on the actress’ hair.
Mr. Borlek also directed several plays in local theaters, including “Roman Holiday” and “The Seven Year Itch.” In 1960, he co-hosted the Mental Health Ball in Chicago with Joan Crawford.
Before retiring in 1990, Mr. Borlek also worked for 12 years as the production manager of the Chicago Cultural Center.
Mr. Borlek enjoyed playing golf in his retirement.
In addition to his daughter, Mr. Borlek is survived by his wife of 46 years; two sons, Michael and Christopher; a stepson, Jeffrey Moro; and three grandchildren.
A service will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday at Hollerbach Funeral Home, 4024 N. Elston Ave.
