Jim Nabors, Alabamian known as TV's 'Gomer Pyle,' has died
Source: AL.com
Jim Nabors, Alabamian known as TV's 'Gomer Pyle,' has died
Updated 1:06 PM; Posted 12:53 PM
By Leada Gore lgore@al.com
Jim Nabors, best known for his role as television's "Gomer Pyle" on the "Andy Griffith Show" and later his own series, has died.
Nabors was 87.
Nabors died at his home in Hawaii on Wednesday night, his longtime partner told Indiana's WTHR.
Born and raised in Sylacauga, Alabama, Nabors became well known as Gomer Pyle on the "Andy Griffith Show" before the character was spun off into "Gomer Pyle, USMC," which ran from 1964-1969. Throughout his career, Nabors appeared on a number of variety shows and hosted his own specials in the 1960s and 1970s, often featuring his booming baritone voice.
Nabors was also well known for singing "Back Home Again in Indiana" at the start of the Indianapolis 500 from 1972-2014.
In 2013, Nabors announced he had married his long-time partner, Stan Cadwallader. (1)
(1) http://www.al.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2013/01/andy_griffith_actor_and_sylaca.html
Read more: http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2017/11/jim_nabors_alabamian_known_for.html
"Nabors died at his home in Hawaii on Wednesday night, his longtime partner told Indiana's WTHR."
I believe that by "his longtime partner," they mean "his husband." Let us hope that later editions correct that error.
* * * * *
Already edited:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Nabors
James Thurston Nabors (June 12, 1930- November 30, 2017) was an American actor, singer, and comedian. Born and raised in Sylacauga, Alabama, Nabors moved to southern California because of his asthma. While working at a Santa Monica nightclub, The Horn, he was discovered by Andy Griffith and later joined The Andy Griffith Show, playing Gomer Pyle. Betty Lynn, Elinor Donahue, and Ron Howard are the last surviving regular cast members from that series. The character proved popular, and Nabors was given his own spin-off show, Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C..
Though known for his portrayal of Gomer Pyle, Nabors became a popular guest on variety shows in the 1960s and 1970s (including two specials of his own in 1969 and 1974), which showcased his rich baritone voice, and sometimes his higher-pitched voice. He subsequently recorded numerous albums and singles, most of them containing romantic ballads.
Nabors was also known for singing "Back Home Again in Indiana", prior to the start of the Indianapolis 500, held annually over the Memorial Day Weekend. Save for occasional absences due to health or other conflicts, Nabors sang the unofficial Indiana anthem almost every year from 1972 until his final time in 2014.
Chasstev365
(5,191 posts)RIP, Jim!
Sophiegirl
(2,338 posts)RIP sweet Jim.
He had an awesome singing voice as well. Very baritone.
mahatmakanejeeves
(57,600 posts)Last edited Thu Nov 30, 2017, 02:51 PM - Edit history (1)
Most are pretty saccharine.
When you consider his TV schtick, his singing voice does come across as quite a shock.
Per Wikipedia, lets's go with "Back Home Again in Indiana":
1977:
1995:
His last, 2014:
I see that mobeau69 has already posted this, in reply #6.
Sophiegirl
(2,338 posts)First time I heard him sing, I was floored.
flygal
(3,231 posts)Rest in Peace
jmowreader
(50,562 posts)They were looking for a dim witted foil for Andy Griffith. Then he sang during a show...
2naSalit
(86,775 posts)RandySF
(59,224 posts)mobeau69
(11,156 posts)TexasBushwhacker
(20,214 posts)They were together for over 40 years. RIP Jim
Achilleaze
(15,543 posts)niyad
(113,552 posts)niyad
(113,552 posts)workinclasszero
(28,270 posts)Thanks for all the laughs.
niyad
(113,552 posts)caring, kind and gentle man. He is missed.
niyad
(113,552 posts)niyad
(113,552 posts)ChazII
(6,206 posts)bullwinkle428
(20,630 posts)BarbaRosa
(2,685 posts)at the Indy 500 as the real start of summer.
underpants
(182,878 posts)Raster
(20,998 posts)SleeplessinSoCal
(9,145 posts)I must have read a hoax before.
RIP
Brother Buzz
(36,463 posts)He had a liver transplant in 1994
mahatmakanejeeves
(57,600 posts)Wikipedia said it happened today, so I figured that was my authority.
SleeplessinSoCal
(9,145 posts)Rhiannon12866
(206,014 posts)I just watched "Return to Mayberry" the other night. We watched "Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C." when I was a kid, such a likable actor and a gifted singer.
BumRushDaShow
(129,449 posts)Last edited Thu Nov 30, 2017, 04:31 PM - Edit history (1)
Have been listening to one of SiriusXM's Holiday channels and they have played his Christmas songs in the rotation.
Used to watch the re-runs of his various shows and he especially made Gomer Pyle a recognizable character.
R.I.P., condolences to his family, and thanks for the memories!
Edit to add, SiriusXM Holiday Classics channel is playing his "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" right now as of 3:30 pm ET.
GatoGordo
(2,412 posts)Jim Nabors was total class. You would be hard pressed to meet a more decent and honorable human being in a lifetime.
The world is a lesser place without him.
LongTomH
(8,636 posts)Dave Starsky
(5,914 posts)1. Gilligan's Island
2. Hogan's Heroes
3. Andy Griffith Show
4. Gomer Pyle, USMC
Thanks for the laughs, Mr. Nabors.
Wellstone ruled
(34,661 posts)Soloist back in the middle fifties,doing a Opera in St Paul. His Voice Range was huge.
Honeycombe8
(37,648 posts)Kittycow
(2,396 posts)Thanks for everything. You still live on in the hearts of millions
bluestarone
(17,030 posts)music and comedy God Bless
nolabear
(41,991 posts)He was the high school wunderkind, really loved. She was same time, different school but they all knew about him. They gently ignored his obvious gayness.
My grandparents lived across the street from his mother for a time, and though I never met him when I visited them I did play with his dog, which hed left with her. Big old black standard poodle.
Rest easy, to a good and talented man.
DAMANgoldberg
(1,278 posts)I wasn't born in Alabama, but grew up there, and would drive through Sylacauga which was halfway between Auburn and where I lived in pre-college, Gadsden.
nolabear
(41,991 posts)At least they were when they were young. By the time I came along they did other stuff. Truth be told I disliked them intensely and for good reason, but I had some good memories of the place.
DAMANgoldberg
(1,278 posts)Not unlike Opelika, LaGrange GA, West Point GA (pre-Kia), and a continuous string of mill towns that reach up to where I live now, Charlotte. Those were the days, but I don't get back there much, just Auburn and Montgomery (where I have the family).
nolabear
(41,991 posts)Long ago, late 70s to early 80s. Loved Durham. Mr. Bears from Winston Salem so we get back once a year or so.
DAMANgoldberg
(1,278 posts)I bet the Durham you grew up in nothing like now. Safe travels to W-S.
nolabear
(41,991 posts)I worked at Duke and for The Museum of Life and Science. And yeah, its changed a lot.
I grew up on the MS Coast and in New Orleans. They both have changed too but are somehow eternal. New Orleans is my heart, hence nolabear.
orangecrush
(19,617 posts)defacto7
(13,485 posts)Anothe goodbye to a great person who made great memories for me.
Glorfindel
(9,734 posts)May he rest in peace.
Bayard
(22,149 posts)When I was a kid.
Tarheel_Dem
(31,240 posts)dalton99a
(81,570 posts)I thought he was dead
DashOneBravo
(2,679 posts)[link:https://mobile.twitter.com/USMC/status/936330482039578624|]
Rest In Peace Mr. Nabors
Egnever
(21,506 posts)thanks for pointing that out.
Egnever
(21,506 posts)Damn I'm getting old.
douglas9
(4,359 posts)niyad
(113,552 posts)tears at the end.
QC
(26,371 posts)She said he sang and played the piano for her all evening and had lovely manners.