Jim Nabors facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jim Nabors
Nabors in a publicity still (detail) for Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., 1968
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
Occupation	Actor, singer
Years active	1954–2014
Known for	Portraying Gomer Pyle on The Andy Griffith Show and Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. Singing "Back Home Again in Indiana" at the Indianapolis 500 race
Height	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)

James Thurston Nabors (born June 12, 1930 – died November 30, 2017) was a famous American actor, singer, and comedian. He was best known for playing his funny character, Gomer Pyle.

Jim Nabors was discovered by actor Andy Griffith while working in a nightclub. He later joined The Andy Griffith Show as the kind-hearted Gomer Pyle. This character became so popular that Jim Nabors got his own successful TV show, Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.

He was also a popular guest on many TV variety shows in the 1960s and 1970s. These shows often featured his amazing deep singing voice. Jim Nabors recorded many albums, mostly with romantic songs. He was also famous for singing "Back Home Again in Indiana" at the start of the Indianapolis 500 car race almost every year from 1972 to 2014.

Early Life and First Jobs

Jim Nabors was born in Sylacauga, Alabama, on June 12, 1930. His father, Fred Nabors, was a police officer. Jim sang in his high school and church choirs. He later went to the University of Alabama, where he started acting in short comedy skits.

After college, he moved to New York City and worked for the United Nations. A year later, he moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee. There, he got his first TV job as a film cutter. He also sometimes helped host a show called Holiday for Housewives.

Because of his asthma, Jim Nabors moved to Los Angeles. He continued working as a film cutter for NBC. He also performed at a tavern called The Horn in Santa Monica, California. He would sing and act in comedy shows there. His act was similar to the Gomer Pyle character he would later play.

At The Horn, comedian Bill Dana saw Jim Nabors perform. Bill Dana invited him to appear on The Steve Allen Show. Jim Nabors joined the show, but it was canceled soon after.

Becoming a Star

Nabors (right) and Don Knotts in a photo for The Andy Griffith Show (1964)

Jim Nabors first appeared on TV as "Jimmy Nabors" on a show called Today in Dixie. He was also active in his church choir.

Andy Griffith found Jim Nabors at The Horn nightclub. He hired him to play Gomer Pyle, a simple gas station attendant, for one episode of The Andy Griffith Show. Gomer Pyle's character was based on Jim Nabors' act at the club. The character became so popular that Jim Nabors became a regular on the show.

Later, he got his own show, Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. In this show, Gomer Pyle joined the Marines. His clumsy, innocent character was often seen with the strict Gunnery Sergeant Vince Carter (Frank Sutton).

Gomer Pyle stayed popular even during the Vietnam War. This was because the show avoided war topics. Instead, it focused on Gomer's country background and his friendship with Sergeant Carter. Jim Nabors decided to leave Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. after five seasons. He wanted to try new things in his career.

Singing Success

Jim Nabors first showed his amazing singing voice on The Andy Griffith Show in 1964. He also sang on The Danny Kaye Show. After that, he used his singing talent to make many successful recordings and perform live. Most of his songs were romantic, but he also sang pop, gospel, and country songs.

A famous singing moment on Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. was in an episode called "The Show Must Go On." In this episode, Gomer Pyle sang "The Impossible Dream (The Quest)" with the Marine Corps Band. Jim Nabors also hosted his own variety show, The Jim Nabors Hour (1969–1971). His co-stars from Gomer Pyle were on the show too. Even though some critics didn't love it, the show was very popular and was nominated for an Emmy award.

Later Career and Performances

After his show was canceled, Jim Nabors went on a nationwide tour. Because he was so well known as Gomer Pyle, most of his later roles were also funny. In the 1970s, he appeared in the children's TV show The Krofft Supershow.

He was a guest on every first episode of The Carol Burnett Show. Carol Burnett thought he brought good luck. They were very close friends.

In 1973, Jim Nabors played his first serious role in an episode of The Rookies. Also in 1973, he sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" before a Major League Baseball World Series game. From 1977 to 1978, Jim Nabors hosted another variety show called The Jim Nabors Show. He was nominated for an Emmy award for being a great host.

Jim Nabors in 2001

Jim Nabors eventually grew tired of the busy TV schedule. He started doing nightclub and concert shows instead. He also acted in a touring play called Man of La Mancha. However, he was convinced to star in a Saturday-morning children's TV show called The Lost Saucer. In this show, he played Fum, a clumsy robot who traveled through time with two children. Jim Nabors also appeared on an episode of The Muppet Show.

In 1983, Jim Nabors was in the movie Stroker Ace with Burt Reynolds. In 1984, he made a short appearance in Burt Reynolds' movie Cannonball Run II. He was alongside many famous people like Jackie Chan and his Andy Griffith Show co-stars Don Knotts and George Lindsey.

In 1986, Jim Nabors returned to TV to play Gomer Pyle again in the TV movie Return to Mayberry. The cast of The Andy Griffith Show reunited for this movie.

Nabors at the Indianapolis 500 in 2008. For over 40 years, he sang "Back Home Again in Indiana" before the start of the race.

After moving to Hawaii in 1976, he started a show called The Jim Nabors Polynesian Extravaganza. It ran for two years. Jim Nabors later took a break from performing. In 1984, he returned to the stage, performing in Las Vegas and Reno. In 1982, he made his first theater appearance as Harold Hill in The Music Man.

In 1994, Jim Nabors became very sick with hepatitis B, which caused liver failure. His friend Carol Burnett helped him get the information he needed for a liver transplant. After his recovery, Jim Nabors became involved with the American Liver Foundation.

From 1997 to 2006, Jim Nabors starred in a Christmas show called A Merry Christmas with Friends and Nabors. This live show was held at the Hawaii Theatre Center in Honolulu.

Retirement

From 1972 to 2014, Jim Nabors sang "Back Home Again in Indiana" with the Purdue All-American Marching Band before each Indianapolis 500 race. In March 2014, Jim Nabors announced that the 2014 race would be his last performance. This was because health issues made it hard for him to travel. Since then, other singers have performed the song.

Personal Life

Jim Nabors started taking vacations in Hawaii in the 1960s. In 1976, he moved from California to Honolulu, Hawaii. For 25 years, he owned a macadamia plantation on Maui. He later sold it to a group that protects plants, but he still kept farming rights to the land. He also owned a second home there.

Jim Nabors in 2010

Jim Nabors also owned a home in Whitefish, Montana, and spent some summers there in the 1990s.

Death

Jim Nabors passed away at his home in Honolulu, Hawaii, on November 30, 2017. He was 87 years old.

The United States Marine Corps released a statement saying, "Semper Fi, Gomer Pyle. Rest in peace Jim Nabors, one of the few to ever be named an Honorary Marine." Many people, including celebrities and politicians, shared their sadness and memories of Jim Nabors and his beautiful voice.

Awards and Honors

Jim Nabors in 2013

Jim Nabors received many awards and honors for his work.

• He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1991.
• His character "Gomer Pyle" was given an honorary promotion to Lance Corporal by the Commandant of the Marine Corps in 2001. In 2007, he was promoted again to Corporal.
• The Hawaii Pacific University gave Jim Nabors the Fellow of the Pacific Award for his "outstanding leadership, service, and dedication to the community."
• He was inducted into the Alabama Stage and Screen Hall of Fame in 2006.
• He received honors from the University of Alabama in 2006.
• Jim Nabors was honored at "A Night of American Heroes" in 2007, which helps the Battleship Missouri Memorial.
• In October 1978, a part of U.S. Route 280 in Alabama was named "Jim Nabors Highway" in his honor.
• Jim Nabors was made an honorary Sergeant during the Marine Corps birthday celebration in 2013.

Selected Music Albums

Jim Nabors recorded 28 albums and many singles. Three of his albums sold enough copies to be certified either gold or platinum.

• Jim Nabors Sings Love Me with All Your Heart (released 1966, certified gold 1968)
• Jim Nabors Sings the Lord's Prayer (released 1968, certified gold 1974)
• Jim Nabors Christmas Album (released 1966, certified gold 1970)

Film and TV Appearances

See also

In Spanish: Jim Nabors para niños