James Thurston "Jim" Nabors (born June 12, 1930 in Sylacauga, Alabama to
Fred and Mavis Nabors), is an American actor, singer, and comedian. He is best
known for his portrayal of the good-hearted but naïve Gomer Pyle on two highly
successful 1960s sitcoms, The Andy Griffith Show and its spinoff Gomer Pyle,
U.S.M.C.. Given his goofy demeanor and high-pitched voice on both Andy Griffith
and Gomer Pyle, it was surprising to many when he revealed a strong baritone
singing voice and turned it into a successful recording career.
Nabors graduated from the University of Alabama.
Nabors was also a popular guest on variety shows in the 1960s and 1970s,
including two of his own (1969 and 1974). He was a favorite guest on The Carol
Burnett Show and The Muppet Show, and made a couple of guest appearances in the
early 1970s on Sesame Street, one in which he sang the alphabet song and
another, similar one in which he sang-counted to twenty. Carol Burnett
considered Nabors her lucky charm, and he was always the first guest on every
new season of her show. Burnett and Nabors have long been close friends with
both owning homes in Hawaii (Nabors is still a resident while Burnett's tenure
was from 1975-1990). Comedian Minnie Pearl looked on Nabors as a surrogate son,
and he often vacationed with her and her husband.
After allegedly contracting hepatitis after accidentally cutting his face and
making himself a "bloody mess" while attempting to shave with a straight razor
in India, Nabors received a liver transplant in 1994. He performs occasionally,
although he prefers to operate his macadamia nut plantation in Hawaii, where he
also grows tropical flowers.
Jim got his start in television using his hillbilly skits and operatic singing
on "The Steve Allen Show", where he became a regular during the final season. He
performed in live venues until Andy Griffith saw his act at The Horn in Santa
Monica, California, and invited him to audition for The Andy Griffith Show,
where he won the role of Gomer Pyle. Gomer became loved by millions as the
down-to-earth, honest almost to a fault, bumbling good-natured gas-station
attendant. In 1964, his character was spun off into his own series, "Gomer Pyle,
U.S.M.C.", which ran until 1969. According to producer Aaron Ruben, the show was
loosely based on the same premise as "No Time for Sergeants," in which Andy
Griffith had starred on Broadway years earlier.
Nabors starred with Ruth Buzzi in The Lost Saucer produced by Sid and Marty
Krofft which aired September 6, 1975.
Actor Burt Reynolds used Nabors in a number of his movies during the 1980s,
including "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas" with Burt Reynolds and Dolly
Parton, "Stroker Ace" with Reynolds and Loni Anderson and a cameo role in "The
Cannonball Run II.
From 1997-2006, Nabors starred in "A Merry Christmas with Friends and Nabors", a
live production at the Hawaii Theatre Center in Honolulu, Hawaii. Produced by
Burton White, Nabors completely donated his time and talents in the production
which featured, during its run, local and national artists including Karen
Keawehawaii, Emma Veary, Jimmy Borges, Frank Delima, Philip Huber & the Huber
Marionettes, the Diamond Head Theatre Shooting Stars, Halau Hula O Kawailiula,
Hula Hui O Nuuanu YMCA, the Company Singers, and the Hawaii Theatre Orchestra
and Honolulu Symphony under the baton of Matt Catingub. The show ran forty
performances over a decade and was directed by Tom Hansen until his death in
2006. The final performance run, in 2006, was directed by John Rampage and
dedicated to Hansen.
His stage career began as Harold Hill in "The Music Man" with Florence Henderson
at the Burt Reynolds Dinner Theatre.
Nabors has recorded twenty eight albums and numerous singles and has garnered
five gold and one platinum record.
Since 1972, Nabors has sung "Back Home Again in Indiana" 29 times during
pre-race ceremonies for the Indianapolis 500 including performances each year
from 1987 to 2006. An illness kept him from performing the song in 2007.
Instead, the Purdue University Marching Band performed the song that year with
race fans encouraged to sing along.
Nabors died at his Honolulu, Hawaii, home on November 30, 2017, aged 87.
The United States Marine Corps released a statement on Nabors: "Semper Fi, Gomer
Pyle. Rest in peace Jim Nabors, one of the few to ever be named an Honorary
Marine." Second Lady of the United States and former First Lady of Indiana Karen
Pence wrote a statement on Twitter: "So sad to hear about the passing of Jim
Nabors. We heard him sing 'Back Home Again in Indiana' at the Indianapolis 500
countless times. We will miss his beautiful voice."
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Carol Burnett paid tribute to
Nabors saying they were "close friends for 52 years. ... My heart is heavy. I’m
grateful he was a large part of my life. I miss him. I love him." INDYCAR legend
Tony Kanaan praised Nabors's performance of "Back Home Again in Indiana".
Journalist Larry King praised Nabors as a "gentle man with immense talent" while
sending condolences to his family.
