Jim Nabors | |
|---|---|
 Nabors in ac. 1965 publicity photo | |
| Born | James Thurston Nabors (1930-06-12)June 12, 1930 Sylacauga, Alabama, U.S. |
| Died | November 30, 2017(2017-11-30) (aged 87) Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S. |
| Resting place | Ashes sprinkled in Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S. |
| Alma mater | University of Alabama |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1954–2014 |
| Known for | PortrayingGomer Pyle onThe Andy Griffith Show andGomer Pyle – USMC Singing "Back Home Again in Indiana" at theIndianapolis 500 race |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) |
| Spouse | |
| Website | Official website |
James Thurston Nabors (June 12, 1930 – November 30, 2017) was an American actor, singer, and comedian, widely known for his signature character,Gomer Pyle.
Nabors was discovered byAndy Griffith while working at aSanta Monica nightclub, and he later joinedThe Andy Griffith Show, where he played the good-natured, unsophisticated Gomer Pyle. The character proved so popular that Nabors was given his own successful spin-off show,Gomer Pyle – USMC.
Nabors also became a popular guest on variety shows that showcased his rich baritone singing voice in the 1960s and 1970s. He was the featured guest on every season premiere ofThe Carol Burnett Show and he had two specials of his own in 1969 and 1974. He signed a recording contract withColumbia Records in 1965 and subsequently recorded numerous albums and singles, most of them containing romantic ballads. He recorded forRanwood Records during the late 1970s.
Nabors was also known for singing "Back Home Again in Indiana" before the start of theIndianapolis 500, held annually on theMemorial Day weekend. He sang the unofficial Indiana anthem almost every year from 1972 to 2014, except for occasional absences due to illness or scheduling conflicts.[1][2]
Nabors was born inSylacauga, Alabama, on June 12, 1930,[3] to Fred Nabors, a police officer, and Mavis Pearl (née Newman).[4] He had two older sisters, Freddie and Annie Ruth.[5][6] He sang for his high school and church. Later, he attended theUniversity of Alabama, where he began acting inskits. While at Alabama, he became a member ofDelta Tau Delta International Fraternity.[7] After graduating, he moved to New York City, where he worked as a typist for the United Nations;[8][9] after a year, he moved toChattanooga, Tennessee, where he got his first job in television as a film cutter atNBC affiliate WRGP-TV (nowWRCB-TV) and was also a substitute co-host on the showHoliday for Housewives.[10]
Because of hisasthma, Nabors moved to Los Angeles and continued his work as afilm cutter, this time forNBC. He also worked at aSanta Monica tavern, The Horn, singing and acting incabaret theater.[11][12] His act featured him as a character similar to the later Gomer Pyle. He sang in a baritone and sometimes spoke and sang in his higher-pitched comedic voice.[13] At the club, comedianBill Dana saw Nabors' act and invited him to appear onThe Steve Allen Show. Nabors signed on to the show, but it was soon canceled.[14]
Nabors made his television debut as "Jimmy Nabors" on theToday in Dixie show onWJBF inAugusta, Georgia. He was active in the choir at Grace United Methodist Church inNorth Augusta.[15]
Andy Griffith discovered Nabors at The Horn and hired him to play a one-shot role of Gomer Pyle, a dimwitted gas station attendant onThe Andy Griffith Show in the third-season episode "Man in a Hurry." Nabors' character was based on his act at The Horn, and it became so popular that he was made a regular on the show and was later given the spin-off showGomer Pyle – USMC, in which his character joined the Marines. The show placed Nabors' bungling, naive character opposite Gunnery Sergeant Vince Carter (Frank Sutton).
Gomer Pyle remained popular despite the concurrence of theVietnam War because the series avoided war-related themes and instead focused on the character's rural roots and the relationship between Pyle and Carter.[16][17][18] Considering himself more an entertainer than actor, Nabors resigned fromGomer Pyle – USMC after five seasons because he wanted to move on to something else, "reach for another rung on the ladder, either up or down."[19]
Nabors first revealed his fine singing voice on the February 24, 1964, "The Song Festers" episode ofThe Andy Griffith Show and on April 8, 1964, onThe Danny Kaye Show, and subsequently capitalized on it with numerous successful recordings and live performances.[20][21] Most of the songs were romantic ballads, though he sang pop,gospel, andcountry songs as well.[22][23][24][25]
The climactic vocal performance onGomer Pyle – USMC came in an episode titled "The Show Must Go On", aired November 3, 1967, in which Pyle sang "The Impossible Dream (The Quest)" in Washington, D.C., at a U.S. Navy relief show, accompanied by theMarine Band. A clip from the show, in which Pyle says the tag-line "Surprise, surprise, surprise!" appears in thePink Floyd albumThe Wall in the song "Nobody Home".[26] He hosted a variety show,The Jim Nabors Hour (1969–1971), which featured hisGomer Pyle co-starsRonnie Schell and Frank Sutton.[27] Despite a poor critical reception, the show was popular[28][29] and earned an Emmy nomination.[30] After the cancellation ofThe Jim Nabors Hour, Nabors embarked on a nationwide roadshow.[31]
Typecast from his role as Gomer Pyle, Nabors found his subsequent roles mostly comedic.[22] In the 1970s, he appeared in the children's television programThe Krofft Supershow. He appeared in everyseason premiere ofThe Carol Burnett Show, because Burnett considered him a "good-luck charm".[32] They were so close that he became the godfather to her daughter Jody.[33]
In a 1973 episode ofThe Rookies, he played his first dramatic role, a man called on to be anassassin after the death of his sister.[34][35] Also in 1973, Nabors sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" before Game One of theMajor League BaseballWorld Series.[36] From 1977 to 1978, Nabors hosted another variety show,The Jim Nabors Show. Though the show lasted only one season, Nabors was nominated for aDaytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Host or Hostess in a Talk, Service or Variety Series.[37]
Nabors eventually grew tired of the "prime-time TV grind" and abandoned television jobs for nightclub and concert engagements and a role in a touring production ofMan of La Mancha.[25] However,Sid and Marty Krofft persuaded Nabors to star in the Saturday-morning children's television showThe Lost Saucer, about two bumblingandroids, Fi (Ruth Buzzi) and Fum (Nabors), who travel through time with two children. Nabors, whose character was described as a "Gomer Pyle in outer space", sang in a few of the episodes.[38] He also guest-starred onThe Muppet Show (season 1, episode 6).[39]
In the 1980s, Nabors appeared in three feature-length films starring his friendBurt Reynolds, at the latter's request. InThe Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982), about a sheriff (Reynolds) who falls in love with abrothelmadam (Dolly Parton), Nabors played Deputy Fred, a character similar to Gomer Pyle.[40][41] Though the film received mostly unfavorable reviews, Nabors garnered some positive comments for his performance.[42]
In 1983, Nabors played an auto mechanic inStroker Ace, starring Burt Reynolds as a NASCAR race car driver who has a contentious relationship with his team owner, a fried-chicken fast-food chain entrepreneur. The film was panned, and Nabors earned aGolden Raspberry Award for his performance.[43] In Reynolds' star-studdedCannonball Run II (1984), about a cross-country car chase, Nabors made a cameo appearance alongside such celebrities asDom DeLuise,Jackie Chan,Shirley MacLaine,Dean Martin,Frank Sinatra, andAndy Griffith Show co-starsDon Knotts andGeorge Lindsey.[44] Like the two previous Reynolds films Nabors appeared in,Cannonball received mostly negative reviews.[45]
In 1986, Nabors returned to television, reprising his role as Gomer Pyle in the television movieReturn to Mayberry, in which the cast ofThe Andy Griffith Show reunited.[46] Also in 1986, Nabors starred in the half-hour comedy pilotSylvan in Paradise as the title character, Sylvan Sprayberry, an accident-prone bell captain at a Hawaiian hotel. The series was not picked up byNBC.[47]
After moving to Hawaii fromBel Air, California, with his partner Stan Cadwallader in 1976, he launched a show,The Jim Nabors Polynesian Extravaganza at theHilton Hawaiian Village, which ran for two years. Nabors eventually experienced "bright-light burnout" and disappeared from the stage, save for an occasional performance. In 1984, after a five-year hiatus, Nabors returned to performing, starring in the "Moulin Rouge" show at theLas Vegas Hilton and other shows inReno andLas Vegas.[48] In 1982, he made his theatrical debut as Harold Hill inThe Music Man withFlorence Henderson at theBurt Reynolds Dinner Theatre inJupiter, Florida.[49][50]
In 1994, Nabors suffered from a near-fatal case ofhepatitis B. According to Nabors, he contracted the disease while traveling in India; he shaved with astraight razor and "whacked [his] face all up."[51] The disease caused liver failure, and Nabors was given a dim prognosis; however, his friendCarol Burnett contacted the head of the liver transplant division at theUniversity of California, Los Angeles, and gave Nabors the information.[6] Nabors later became involved with theAmerican Liver Foundation as a result of his experience.[52]
Shortly after recovering from his transplant, Nabors embarked on another tour, with stops in Phoenix, St. Louis, and Washington.[53] From 1997 to 2006, Nabors starred in the Burton White-producedA Merry Christmas with Friends and Nabors, a live performance at theHawaii Theatre Center inHonolulu. The production, featuring local and national artists, ran for 40 performances and was directed by Tom Hansen until Hansen's death in 2006. The final performance run was directed by John Rampage and dedicated to Hansen.[54]
From 1972 to 2014, Nabors sang "Back Home Again in Indiana" with thePurdue All-American Marching Band before eachIndianapolis 500 race.[55][56] In March 2014, Nabors announced that the2014 Indianapolis 500 would be his final appearance, because health issues were limiting his ability to travel.[57] After his retirement from this role, the singing of "Back Home Again in Indiana" was done on a rotating basis (as it had been before Nabors became the regular performer), before organizers namedChicago Blackhawks anthem singerJim Cornelison as permanent replacement.
Nabors began vacationing in Hawaii in the 1960s, and in 1976, moved fromBel Air, California, to Honolulu, Hawaii. For 25 years, he owned amacadamiaplantation onMaui before selling it to theNational Tropical Botanical Garden, aconservationist organization, though he still retained farming rights to the land and owned a second home on the property.[58]
He also owned a home and spent some summers inWhitefish, Montana, during the 1990s.
On January 15, 2013, Nabors married his partner of 38 years, Stan Cadwallader, at theFairmont Olympic Hotel inSeattle, Washington, a month aftersame-sex marriage became legal inWashington.[59][60][61] They had met in the 1970s, when Cadwallader was a fireman in Honolulu, and began dating in 1975. Although Nabors's homosexuality was not widely known before this, it was also not completely secret. For example, Nabors brought his then-partner Cadwallader along to his Indy 500 performance in 1978.[62]
A longstanding rumor maintains that Nabors married actorRock Hudson in the early 1970s, shortly before Nabors began his relationship with Cadwallader.[63]Not only was same-sex marriage not legal anywhere in the United States at the time, but the twocloseted homosexual actors were, according to each, never more than casual friends.[64] Nabors believed that the rumors had originated from a fan magazine, which he briefly considered suing before his manager talked him out of the idea.[63] He was deeply hurt by the insinuation at the time, calling the rumors of his homosexuality to be "horrible," "a nightmare, a bad dream," and "a vicious, unfounded and unwarranted story;" he publicly denied being gay, saying that "I've been so busy with my career that I really haven't given marriage much thought." Hudson and Nabors last spoke to each other when Hudson appeared onThe Jim Nabors Hour; the two never spoke again after the rumors broke out.[63]
Nabors died at his Honolulu home on November 30, 2017, aged 87.[65][66][64]
TheUnited 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."[67][non-primary source needed]Second Lady of the United States and former First Lady of IndianaKaren Pence wrote 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."[68][non-primary source needed]
In an interview withThe Hollywood Reporter,Carol Burnett said she and Nabors 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."[69][non-primary source needed]IndyCar driverTony Kanaan said "Jim Nabors will always be the voice of 'Back Home Again in Indiana'".[70][non-primary source needed] JournalistLarry King said Nabors was a "gentle man with immense talent" while sending condolences to his family.[71][non-primary source needed]
Nabors' successes earned him accolades:
Nabors recorded 28 albums and numerous singles; three have been certified eithergold or platinum by theRecording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[78]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1963 | Take Her, She's Mine | Clancy, Sleeping Pill Coffee Shop Manager | Uncredited |
| 1982 | The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas | Deputy Fred[79] | |
| 1983 | Stroker Ace | Lugs Harvey[79] | Won:Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actor[43] |
| 1984 | Cannonball Run II | Pvt. Homer Lyle[79] |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | The Steve Allen Show[80] | Himself | |
| 1963 | I'm Dickens, He's Fenster[81] | Episode: "The Carpenters Four" | |
| 1963 | Mr. Smith Goes to Washington | Claude | 2 episodes |
| 1963 | The Danny Kaye Show[80] | Himself | 2 episodes |
| 1962–1964 | The Andy Griffith Show[80] | Gomer Pyle | 23 episodes |
| 1964–1969 | Gomer Pyle – USMC[80] | 150 episodes | |
| 1966 | The Lucy Show | Episode: "Lucy Gets Caught Up in the Draft" | |
| 1967 | The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour[82] | Himself | Episode #1.1 |
| 1968 | The Dean Martin Show[82] | Himself | Episode: "1968 Christmas Show" |
| 1969 | The Don Rickles Show | Himself | Episode #1.16 |
| 1969 | The Leslie Uggams Show | Himself | Episode #1.5 |
| 1969–1971 | The Jim Nabors Hour[80] | Host/Various character | 51 episodes |
| 1967–1977 | The Carol Burnett Show[80] | Himself | 11 episodes (the premiere episode of each season[83]) |
| 1970–1971 | Sesame Street | Himself | 2 episode |
| 1971 | The Johnny Cash Show[82] | Himself | Episode #2.19 |
| 1972–1973 | The Flip Wilson Show[82] | Himself | 2 episodes |
| 1973 | The Rookies[34] | Corley Curlew | Episode: "Down Home Boy" |
| 1973–1974 | The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour[84] | Himself/Various characters | 4 episodes |
| 1976 | The Lost Saucer[80] | Fum | 16 episodes |
| 1976 | The Muppet Show[39] | Himself/Billy Lee Boomer/Bakery Guard | Episode #1.4 |
| 1976–1977 | The Sonny & Cher Show[85] | Himself/Various characters | 6 episodes |
| 1977–1981 | The Love Boat[86] | Robert Tanner, Wayne Bouton, the valet | 3 episodes |
| 1978 | The Jim Nabors Show[87] | Host | Nominated for aDaytime Emmy (for Outstanding Host or Hostess in a Talk, Service or Variety Series)[37] |
| 1978 | Buford and The Galloping Ghost | Deputy Goofer McGee (voice) | 13 episodes |
| 1981 | Aloha Paradise | Episode: "Alex and Annie/Blue Honeymoon/Another Thing" | |
| 1986 | Return to Mayberry[79] | Gomer Pyle | Television movie |
| 1986 | Sylvan in Paradise[79] | Sylvan Sprayberry | Television movie |
| 1991 | Hi Honey, I'm Home![88] | Gomer Pyle | Episode: "Hi Mom, I'm Not Home" |
| 1991 | The Carol Burnett Show | Skit characters | Unknown episodes |
Nabors, who was accompanied by a rather pretty male friend, was to sing...
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