Jimmy Borges is one of the most likable entertainers you’ll ever meet — friendly, personable and humorous. But the Hawaii classic pop singer is about to remind the world he’s just as entertaining when he’s bad.
The 76-year-old Borges recently booked a guest spot on "Hawaii Five-0" in a part that executive producer Peter Lenkov believes could lead to more time on the CBS hit.
"Jimmy plays a crooked guy who works in Chinatown," Lenkov told me recently. "We have been waiting to have the right role, a role he could make his own and come back to."
In truth the gig is already a return appearance.
Borges acted regularly in the original series starring Jack Lord. He had roles in 15 episodes, including a few uncredited appearances, an episode in which a Los Angeles actor’s voice was dubbed over his and once as himself onstage with an angry, bomb-wearing senior citizen handcuffed to his wrist.
Borges often played bad guys with local flair. A con artist, a drug dealer, a hit man, a pimp. He once appeared as a sleazy gangster named Kum Chi.
"I had a lot of parts as bad guys," Borges said. "The reason I liked those parts was that you got better dialogue. When you’re a good guy, you’re a cohort and all you get to say is, ‘Yes, boss.’"
Borges had dabbled in TV ever since his first part on "Five-0" in 1972 — "Death Wish on Tantalus Mountain," which also featured Ricardo Montalban. He was on "Charlie’s Angels," "The Rockford Files," "Magnum, P.I." and "Jake and the Fatman."
Borges and Lenkov would talk about the new show whenever they bumped into each other at the Halekulani, where the singer sometimes sits in with friends as they perform and where the TV exec relaxes after a day on the set. But even though they talked about a part, Borges thought Lenkov had forgotten.
When the call came late last month to visit the "Five-0" studio for a screen test, Borges was elated. And, yes, a bit nervous at first.
"I had not had to remember dialogue for more than 20 years," Borges said. "They gave me the lines. I looked at them at home and practiced with my wife. When I got there, I laid the script aside and did the four pages cold. I was really proud."
In the new episode, which should begin shooting this week, Borges will appear opposite James Caan, who is guest-starring on the show.
"There are only four people in the scene, and one of the actors is one of my heroes, James Caan, and we are banging heads," Borges said. "They are after me for information, and I am kind of a nefarious, unsavory Chinatown connection."
Borges has never met Caan.
"I am going to be so excited," Borges said. "I am sure I will learn something if he doesn’t eat me up completely."
The role comes at a remarkable time for Borges, who was diagnosed nearly a year ago with liver cancer. He had chemotherapy and surgery.
"I couldn’t be healthier," he said last week. "Yesterday I went to my doctor, and I am completely healed. They took out half my liver, and they told me my liver had regenerated. My doctor told me my liver was better than when I was 20."
Borges said he couldn’t be any happier. He sings better, hits a golf ball harder and he’s going to be on TV again.
"At my age I am very vital," he said. "My age doesn’t define me. But what is nice about this is I am putting myself out there again, on the edge."
The episode with Borges is tentatively scheduled to air Feb. 27.
AND that’s a wrap …
———
Mike Gordon is the Star-Advertiser’s film and television writer. Read his Outtakes Online blog at honolulupulse.com. Reach him at 529-4803 or email mgordon@staradvertiser.com.
