Jim Nabors, the beloved actor who played Gomer Pyle on “The Andy Griffith Show” and “Gomer Pyle, USMC” has died at the age of 87 at his home in Hawaii.
His husband and longtime partner, Stan Cadwallader, confirmed the news to WTHRS’s Dave Calabro. Nabors passed away peacefully in his home.
Nabors rose to fame when he joined “The Andy Griffith” show in Season 3 as the wide-eyed auto mechanic and gas station attendant, Gomer Pyle. He was known for his funny phrases like, “Shazam!” and “Golly” and his dim-witted character was a constant foil to Don Knotts’ character, Barney Fife. The duo duked it out for years and their on-screen banter was so beloved that Nabors earned a spin-off show of his own, “Gomer Pyle, USMC.”
“Gomer Pyle, USMC” also starred Frank Sutton as the formidable drill sergeant. The show was an incredible success and aired from 1964 to 1969. Nabors had his own variety show, “The Jim Nabors Hour” from 1969 to 1971 and made regular appearances on “The Carol Burnett Show.”
Outside of acting, Nabors was a renowned recording artist. He released 28 albums throughout his career and recorded covers of several hit songs including, “Softly and Tenderly” and “Bridge Over Troubled Water.”
Nabors also regularly attended the Indy 500 where he became known for opening the race with his rousing rendition of “Back Home Again In Indiana.”
He is survived by his husband, Stan. The pair married in 2013 after 38 years together.
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