Editing Jim Nabors

{{short description|American actor and singer (1930–2017)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox person
| name           = Jim Nabors
| image          = Jim Nabors c. 1965.jpg
| alt            = Nabors in a publicity still 1965
| caption        = Nabors in a {{circa|1965}} publicity photo
| birth_name     = James Thurston Nabors
| birth_date     = {{birth date|1930|6|12}}
| birth_place    = [[Sylacauga, Alabama]], U.S.
| death_date     = {{death date and age|2017|11|30|1930|6|12}}
| death_place    = [[Honolulu, Hawaii]], U.S.
| resting place  = Ashes sprinkled in Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.
| alma_mater     = [[University of Alabama]]
| education      =
| height         = {{height|ft=6|in=0}}
| occupation     = {{hlist|Actor|singer}}
| years_active   = 1954–2014
| known_for      = Portraying [[Gomer Pyle]] on ''[[The Andy Griffith Show]]'' and ''[[Gomer Pyle – USMC]]''
<br>Singing "[[Back Home Again in Indiana]]" at the [[Indianapolis 500]] race
| spouse         = {{marriage|Stan Cadwallader|January 15, 2013|<!--Omitted per current Template:Marriage instructions-->}}
| website        = {{official website}}
| signature      =
| signature_size =
| signature_alt  =
}}
'''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 by [[Andy Griffith]] while working at a [[Santa Monica]] nightclub, and he later joined ''[[The 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 of ''[[The Carol Burnett Show]]'' and he had two specials of his own in 1969 and 1974. He signed a recording contract with [[Columbia Records]] in 1965 and subsequently recorded numerous albums and singles, most of them containing romantic ballads. He recorded for [[Ranwood Records]] during the late 1970s.

Nabors was also known for singing "[[Back Home Again in Indiana]]" before the start of the [[Indianapolis 500]], held annually on the [[Memorial 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.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Nabors |first1=Jim |url=http://www.jimnabors.com/NationalSportsNews/ |website=Jim Nabors Official Website |title=Jim Nabors Can't Wait To Get Back Home Again |access-date=May 25, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150126071655/http://www.jimnabors.com/NationalSportsNews/ |archive-date=January 26, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Jim |first1=Nabors |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wcgaRkHAWY |title=Jim Nabors' Last 'Back Home Again in Indiana' |website=[[YouTube]] |year=2014 |access-date=May 25, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171215093903/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wcgaRkHAWY |archive-date=December 15, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Early life and career==
Nabors was born in [[Sylacauga, Alabama]], on June 12, 1930,<ref>{{cite book |first=Paul T. |last=Hellmann |title=Historical gazetteer of the United States |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EQ-R4O2L3nEC&pg=PA20 |access-date=June 30, 2011 |year=2005 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=978-0-415-93948-5 |pages=20– |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140628233155/http://books.google.com/books?id=EQ-R4O2L3nEC&pg=PA20|archive-date=June 28, 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> to Fred Nabors, a police officer, and Mavis Pearl (née Newman).<ref name=wilson>{{cite web |first=Claire M. |last=Wilson|url=http://www.encyclopediaofalabama.org/article/h-2433 |title=Jim Nabors |website=Encyclopedia of Alabama |access-date=December 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201081230/http://www.encyclopediaofalabama.org/article/h-2433 |archive-date=December 1, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> He had two older sisters, Freddie and Annie Ruth.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://obits.staradvertiser.com/2016/11/page/5/ |title=Annie Ruth Collins |newspaper=[[Honolulu Star-Advertiser]] |date=November 28, 2016 |access-date=August 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180811032327/http://obits.staradvertiser.com/2016/11/page/5/ |archive-date=August 11, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="AmericanProfile">{{cite web |url=http://americanprofile.com/articles/actor-jim-nabors/ |title=Jim Nabors Lives Happily in Hawaii |website=American Profile |access-date=January 31, 2013 |date=January 13, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130622032422/http://americanprofile.com/articles/actor-jim-nabors/ |archive-date=June 22, 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> He sang for his high school and church. Later, he attended the [[University of Alabama]], where he began acting in [[skits]]. While at Alabama, he became a member of [[Delta Tau Delta]] International Fraternity.<ref>''The Rainbow''. vol. 131. no. 13. p. 52.{{full citation needed|date=July 2023}}</ref> After graduating, he moved to New York City, where he worked as a typist for the [[United Nations]];<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,837550,00.html |title=Success Is a Warm Puppy |date=November 10, 1967 |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080127042619/http://time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,837550,00.html |archive-date=January 27, 2008 |access-date=June 17, 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://lancasteronline.com/features/entertainment/jim-nabors-to-call-it-quits-on-american-music-theatre-stage/article_9fa80fb1-4a1f-564e-9254-794e075ec2de.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120707072922/http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/223771 |archive-date=July 7, 2012 |title=Nabors to call it quits on American Music Theatre stage |first=Jim |last=Buescher |newspaper=[[LNP (newspaper)|LNP]] |access-date=July 29, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> after a year, he moved to [[Chattanooga, Tennessee]], where he got his first job in television as a film cutter at [[NBC]] affiliate WRGP-TV (now [[WRCB-TV]]) and was also a substitute co-host on the show ''Holiday for Housewives''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Carroll |first=David |date=December 1, 2017 |title=Remembering Jim Nabors, 1930-2017 |url=http://chattanoogaradiotv.com/general/remembering-jim-nabors-1930-2017/ |access-date=October 22, 2021 |website=Chattanooga Radioand TV |language=en-US}}</ref>

Because of his [[asthma]], Nabors moved to Los Angeles and continued his work as a [[film cutter]], this time for [[NBC]]. He also worked at a [[Santa Monica]] tavern, The Horn, singing and acting in [[Cabaret|cabaret theater]].{{sfnp|Brower|1998|p=140}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jimnabors.com/history.html |title=Jim Nabors History |website=Jim Nabors Official Website |access-date=November 10, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081014231626/http://www.jimnabors.com/history.html |archive-date=October 14, 2008 }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-jun-02-ca-36464-story.html |title=Just Like Gomer, Jim Nabors Remains the Optimist |last=King |first=Susan |date=June 2, 2002 |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |page=F-15 |access-date=December 6, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090220040618/http://articles.latimes.com/2000/jun/02/entertainment/ca-36464 |archive-date=February 20, 2009 |url-status=live}}</ref> At the club, comedian [[Bill Dana]] saw Nabors' act and invited him to appear on ''[[The Steve Allen Show]].'' Nabors signed on to the show, but it was soon canceled.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hollywood.com/celebrity/Jim_Nabors/1445216#fullBio |title=Jim Nabors Biography |website=[[Hollywood.com]] |access-date=November 12, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081215174439/http://www.hollywood.com/celebrity/Jim_Nabors/1445216#fullBio |archive-date=December 15, 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Career==
===Breakthrough and popularity===
[[File:Don Knotts Jim Nabors Andy Griffith Show 1964.JPG|thumb|right|Nabors (at right) and [[Don Knotts]] in a publicity photo for ''[[The Andy Griffith Show]]'' (1964)]]
Nabors made his television debut as "Jimmy Nabors" on the ''Today in Dixie'' show on [[WJBF]] in [[Augusta, Georgia]]. He was active in the choir at Grace United Methodist Church in North Augusta.<ref name="Bengtson 2017">{{cite web |last=Bengtson |first=Bill |title=Late actor Jim Nabors, known as Gomer Pyle on 'Andy Griffith Show,' knew North Augusta well |newspaper=[[Aiken Standard]] |date=November 30, 2017 |url=https://www.aikenstandard.com/entertainment/late-actor-jim-nabors-known-as-gomer-pyle-on-andy/article_0ced36ea-d607-11e7-97bd-bbcd8d07b473.html |access-date=March 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200322224351/https://www.aikenstandard.com/entertainment/late-actor-jim-nabors-known-as-gomer-pyle-on-andy/article_0ced36ea-d607-11e7-97bd-bbcd8d07b473.html |archive-date=March 22, 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Andy Griffith]] discovered Nabors at The Horn and hired him to play a one-shot role of Gomer Pyle, a dimwitted gas station attendant on ''[[The 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 show ''[[Gomer 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 the Vietnam War because the series avoided war-related themes and instead focused on the character's rural roots and the relationship between Pyle and Carter.{{sfnp|Olson|1990|p=196}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cmt.com/artists/az/nabors_jim/bio.jhtml |title=Jim Nabors: Biography |website=[[Country Music Television]] |access-date=November 12, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206170930/http://www.cmt.com/artists/az/nabors_jim/bio.jhtml |archive-date=December 6, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.allmovie.com/cg/avg.dll?p=avg&sql=2:51668~T1 |title=Jim Nabors Biography |website=[[AllMovie]] |access-date=November 12, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060426195934/http://www.allmovie.com/cg/avg.dll?p=avg |archive-date=April 26, 2006}}</ref> Nabors resigned from ''Gomer 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."<ref name=Gomer>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=CwQVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=qwEEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2443,3314149&dq=gomer+pyle&hl=en | title=Jim Nabors finished with Gomer |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150929095640/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=CwQVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=qwEEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2443,3314149&dq=gomer+pyle&hl=en |archive-date=September 29, 2015 |first=Cecil |last=Smith |newspaper=[[The Blade (Toledo)|The Blade]] |location=Toledo, Ohio| date=January 31, 1969 |page=29 |access-date=June 30, 2011}}</ref>

===Singing career===
Nabors first revealed his fine singing voice on the February 24, 1964, "The Song Festers" episode of ''[[The Andy Griffith Show]]'' and on April 8, 1964, on ''[[The Danny Kaye Show]],'' and subsequently capitalized on it with numerous successful recordings and live performances.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=UncJAAAAIBAJ&pg=3145,4177445&dq=jim+nabors |title=Jim Nabors Follows His Instincts to Fame |last=Scott |first=Vernon |date=June 10, 1970 |newspaper=[[The Bryan Times]] |page=16 |access-date=November 22, 2008 }}{{Dead link|date=September 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref name="Meet Jim Nabors">{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=sFhQAAAAIBAJ&dq=jim%20nabors&pg=7486%2C2030578 |title=Meet Jim (Gomer) Nabors |last=Wright |first=Fred |date=January 22, 1973 |newspaper=[[St. Petersburg Times|St. Petersburg Independent]] |page=B1 |access-date=November 21, 2008}}</ref> Most of the songs were romantic ballads, though he sang pop, [[gospel music|gospel]], and [[country music|country]] songs as well.{{sfnp|Kelly|1985|p=135}}<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=5vULAAAAIBAJ&pg=7264,4433053&dq=jim+nabors |title=Jim Nabors Soars on Wings |last=Harold |first=Chuck |date=June 17, 1971 |newspaper=St. Petersburg Independent |page=12–A |access-date=November 21, 2008 }}{{Dead link|date=September 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref name="Pop to Opera">{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=xnJQAAAAIBAJ&pg=4208%2C1997669 |title=Nabors' Range: Pop to Opera |last=Ober |first=Chick |work=[[St. Petersburg Times]] |page=23 |access-date=March 7, 2013 |date=June 24, 1967}}</ref><ref name="allmusic" />

The climactic vocal performance on ''Gomer 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 the [[Marine Band]]. A clip from the show, in which Pyle says the tag-line "Surprise, surprise, surprise!" appears in the [[Pink Floyd]] album ''[[The Wall]]'' in the song "[[Nobody Home]]".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Janovitz |first1=Bill |author-link1=Bill Janovitz |title=Song Review: Nobody Home - Pink Floyd |url=https://www.allmusic.com/song/nobody-home-mt0042077671 |website=AllMusic |access-date=December 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171216201205/https://www.allmusic.com/song/nobody-home-mt0042077671 |archive-date=December 16, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>  He hosted a variety show, ''[[The Jim Nabors Hour]]'' (1969–1971), which featured his ''Gomer Pyle'' co-stars [[Ronnie Schell]] and Frank Sutton.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,844903,00.html |title=Wednesday, September 24 |date=September 26, 1969 |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |access-date=November 22, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081214145534/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0%2C9171%2C844903%2C00.html |archive-date=December 14, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Despite a poor critical reception, the show was popular<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=fEILAAAAIBAJ&pg=7098,598792&dq=gomer+pyle |title=Television in Review |access-date=January 27, 2009 |newspaper=The Bryan Times |date=October 9, 1969 |first=Vernon |last=Scott |page=B7}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=H2wxAAAAIBAJ&dq=nabors+tour+show&pg=PA15&article_id=6933,2723193 |title=Nabors to Plan Tour Show |access-date=July 29, 2023 |newspaper=[[Deseret News]] |location=Salt Lake City |date=May 12, 1971 |first=Vernon |last=Scott}}</ref> and earned an Emmy nomination.<ref name="Task & Purpose">{{cite web |last1=DeSantis |first1=Rachel |title=Jim Nabors, Who Played TV's Lovable Marine Gomer Pyle, Dies At 87 |url=http://taskandpurpose.com/jim-nabors-gomer-pyle/ |website=[[Task & Purpose]] |access-date=November 30, 2017 |date=November 30, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201082259/http://taskandpurpose.com/jim-nabors-gomer-pyle/|archive-date=December 1, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>  After the cancellation of ''The Jim Nabors Hour,'' Nabors embarked on a nationwide roadshow.<ref name="no complaints">{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=B09NAAAAIBAJ&dq=jim%20nabors&pg=875%2C4021771 |title=Jim Nabors Has No Complaints |date=May 30, 1971 |newspaper=[[Rome News-Tribune]] |page=5E |access-date=March 7, 2013 |agency=[[United Press International]]}}</ref>

===Later career===
Typecast from his role as Gomer Pyle, Nabors found his subsequent roles mostly comedic.{{sfnp|Kelly|1985|p=135}} In the 1970s, he appeared in the children's television program ''[[The Krofft Supershow]]''. He appeared in every [[season premiere]] of ''[[The Carol Burnett Show]],'' because Burnett considered him a "good-luck charm".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=0DIMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4892,1269071&dq=jim+nabors+carol+burnett|title=Hanging on to Her Femininity Is Carol Burnett's Secret|first=Lawrence|last=Laurent|agency=Washington Post Service|date=August 10, 1975|newspaper=St. Petersburg Independent|page=12–A|access-date=November 21, 2008}}{{Dead link|date=September 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> They were so close that he became the godfather to her daughter Jody.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/newswires/entertainment/notable-reaction-death-actor-singer-jim-nabors-article-1.3668644 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180712000337/http://www.nydailynews.com/newswires/entertainment/notable-reaction-death-actor-singer-jim-nabors-article-1.3668644 |archive-date=July 12, 2018 |title=Notable reaction to the death of actor-singer Jim Nabors |newspaper=[[New York Daily News]] |agency=Associated Press |date=November 30, 2017 |access-date=July 11, 2018}}</ref>

In a 1973 episode of ''[[The Rookies]],'' he played his first dramatic role, a man called on to be an [[assassin]] after the death of his sister.<ref name="rookies">{{cite web |url=https://movies.yahoo.com/movie/contributor/1800034746/bio |title=Jim Nabors Biography |website=Yahoo! |access-date=December 27, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070115045116/http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/contributor/1800034746/bio |archive-date=January 15, 2007 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ZuINAAAAIBAJ&pg=7317,2581598&dq=jim+nabors |title=Complete Television Programs for Monday |date=November 19, 1973 |newspaper=[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]] |page=31 |access-date=November 22, 2008 }}{{Dead link|date=September 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Also in 1973, Nabors sang "[[The Star-Spangled Banner]]" before Game One of the [[Major League Baseball]] [[World Series]].<ref name="NBC 1973 World Series theme introduction">{{cite web| url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hh_ze-RvinU| title=NBC 1973 World Series Theme Introduction| website=[[YouTube]]| access-date=April 19, 2012| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130317161439/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hh_ze-RvinU| archive-date=March 17, 2013| url-status=live}}</ref> From 1977 to 1978, Nabors hosted another variety show, ''The Jim Nabors Show.'' Though the show lasted only one season, Nabors was nominated for a [[Daytime Emmy Award]] for Outstanding Host or Hostess in a Talk, Service or Variety Series.<ref name="emmy" />
[[File:Jim Nabors USMC-010809-M-9466S-159.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Nabors in 2001]]
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 of ''[[Man of La Mancha]]''.<ref name="allmusic">{{cite web | url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p14881|pure_url=yes}}| title=Jim Nabors |first=Jason |last=Ankeny |website=AllMusic |access-date=November 12, 2008}}</ref> However, [[Sid and Marty Krofft]] persuaded Nabors to star in the Saturday-morning children's television show  ''[[The Lost Saucer]],'' about two bumbling [[androids]], 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.{{sfnp|Erickson|1998|p=141}} He also guest-starred on ''[[The Muppet Show]]'' (season 1, episode 6).<ref name="muppets">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1976/09/26/archives/television-this-week.html |title=Television This Week |date=September 26, 1976 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=December 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201233216/http://www.nytimes.com/1976/09/26/archives/television-this-week.html |archive-date=December 1, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In the 1980s, Nabors appeared in three feature-length films starring his friend [[Burt Reynolds]], at the latter's request. In ''[[The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (film)|The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas]]'' (1982), about a sheriff (Reynolds) who falls in love with a [[brothel]] [[Procuring (prostitution)|madam]] ([[Dolly Parton]]), Nabors played Deputy Fred, a character similar to Gomer Pyle.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=JO4LAAAAIBAJ&pg=5101,37194&dq=jim+nabors+whorehouse |title=Burt and Dolly Are Wonderful Together |newspaper=[[St. Petersburg Times]] |access-date=December 29, 2008 |date=July 16, 1982 |page=A4 |first=Shirley |last=Eder }}{{Dead link|date=September 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=y0ENAAAAIBAJ&pg=7173,5349681 |title='Whorehouse' Loses in Translation |last=Anderson |first=George |date=July 26, 1982 |newspaper=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |page=B2 |access-date=November 22, 2008}}</ref> Though the film received mostly unfavorable reviews, Nabors garnered some positive comments for his performance.<ref name="Worst Little Musical">{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=QfVSAAAAIBAJ&pg=7053%2C8449121 |title=Worst Little Musical in Texas |newspaper=Deseret News |location=Salt Lake City |date=July 30–31, 1982 |access-date=March 7, 2013 |page=10W |first=Christopher |last=Hicks}}</ref>

In 1983, Nabors played an auto mechanic in ''[[Stroker 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 a [[Golden Raspberry Award]] for his performance.<ref name="raspberry"/> In Reynolds' star-studded ''[[Cannonball Run II]]'' (1984), about a cross-country car chase, Nabors made a cameo appearance alongside such celebrities as [[Dom DeLuise]], [[Jackie Chan]], [[Shirley MacLaine]], [[Dean Martin]], [[Frank Sinatra]], and ''Andy Griffith Show'' co-stars [[Don Knotts]] and [[George Lindsey]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=PI&s_site=philly&p_multi=PI&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB297DAC7F5D4E2&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |title='Cannonball' Sequel Is Simply Loaded With Stars |newspaper=[[Philadelphia Inquirer]] |access-date=December 29, 2008 |date=June 30, 1984 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015183309/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=PI&s_site=philly&p_multi=PI&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB297DAC7F5D4E2&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |archive-date=October 15, 2012 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription}}</ref> Like the two previous Reynolds films Nabors appeared in, ''Cannonball'' received mostly negative reviews.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/cannonball_run_2/ |title=Cannonball Run 2 |website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |access-date=December 27, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090511180810/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/cannonball_run_2/|archive-date=May 11, 2009 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1986, Nabors returned to television, reprising his role as Gomer Pyle in the television movie ''[[Return to Mayberry]],'' in which the cast of ''The Andy Griffith Show'' reunited.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=wQYNAAAAIBAJ&pg=7048,2350643&dq=jim+nabors |title=Goll-ly, Andy's Back! |last=Vick |first=Karl |date=April 11, 1986 |newspaper=St. Petersburg Times |page=2D |access-date=November 22, 2008}}{{Dead link|date=March 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Also in 1986, Nabors starred in the half-hour comedy [[television pilot|pilot]] ''Sylvan in Paradise'' as the title character, Sylvan Sprayberry, an accident-prone bell captain at a Hawaiian hotel. The series was not picked up by [[NBC]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://tv.nytimes.com/show/62776/Sylvan-in-Paradise/overview|title=Sylvan in Paradise |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=December 27, 2008 |first=Mike |last=Hale |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721141234/http://tv.nytimes.com/show/62776/Sylvan-in-Paradise/overview |archive-date=July 21, 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Jim Nabors at Indianapolis 500.jpg|thumb|right|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 from [[Bel Air, California]], with his partner Stan Cadwallader in 1976, he launched a show, ''The Jim Nabors Polynesian Extravaganza'' at the [[Hilton 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 the [[Las Vegas Hilton]] and other shows in [[Reno]] and [[Las Vegas Strip|Las Vegas]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Y-UOAAAAIBAJ&pg=7073,324816&dq=gomer+pyle |title=Nabors Stages Reluctant Comeback |newspaper=Deseret News |location=Salt Lake City |date=August 1, 1984 |access-date=January 27, 2009 |first=Robert |last=Macy |page=8 EV }}{{Dead link|date=September 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> In 1982, he made his theatrical debut as Harold Hill in ''[[The Music Man]]'' with [[Florence Henderson]] at the [[Burt Reynolds Dinner Theatre]] in [[Jupiter, Florida]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=o-PowTg_VKEC&dat=19901016&printsec=frontpage&hl=en |title=Jim Nabors Brings Flavor of Mayberry to Riverside |newspaper=[[The Kingman Daily Miner|Mojave Daily Miner]] |date=October 16–22, 1990 |access-date=July 29, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Silverstein |first1=Brittany |title=Burt Reynolds Remembers Jim Nabors |url=http://cbs12.com/news/local/burt-reynolds-remembers-jim-nabors |access-date=December 1, 2017 |work=[[WPEC]] News |date=November 30, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201063721/http://cbs12.com/news/local/burt-reynolds-remembers-jim-nabors|archive-date=December 1, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1994, Nabors suffered from a near-fatal case of [[hepatitis B]]. According to Nabors, he contracted the disease while traveling in India; he shaved with a [[straight razor]] and "whacked [his] face all up."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=ZysSsiWj_g4C&dat=19940106&printsec=frontpage&hl=en |title=Gomer Groaning |newspaper=[[The Victoria Advocate]] |date=January 6, 1994 |page=5B |access-date=July 29, 2023}}</ref> The disease caused liver failure, and Nabors was given a dim prognosis; however, his friend [[Carol Burnett]] contacted the head of the liver transplant division at the [[University of California, Los Angeles]], and gave Nabors the information.<ref name= "AmericanProfile" /> Nabors later became involved with the [[American Liver Foundation]] as a result of his experience.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.khnl.com/Global/story.asp?S=6249608 |title=Interview with Jim Nabors |work=[[KHNL]] News |date=March 20, 2007 |access-date=December 29, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071207185212/http://www.khnl.com/Global/story.asp?S=6249608 |archive-date=December 7, 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Shortly after recovering from his transplant, Nabors embarked on another tour, with stops in Phoenix, St. Louis, and Washington.<ref name="Knight Ridder 1995">{{cite news |url=http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-6328103_ITM |title=People in the News |agency=[[Knight Ridder]] |via=AccessMyLibrary.com |access-date=January 27, 2009 |first=Cheryl |last=Levenbrown |date=February 28, 1995 |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100606064030/http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-6328103_ITM |archive-date=June 6, 2010}}</ref> From 1997 to 2006, Nabors starred in the Burton White-produced ''A Merry Christmas with Friends and Nabors,'' a live performance at the [[Hawaii Theatre]] Center in [[Honolulu]]. 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.<ref name="jntour">{{cite web |url=http://www.jimnabors.com/tour.html |title=2003 Tour Schedule |website=Jim Nabors Official Site |access-date=November 12, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090202071820/http://jimnabors.com/tour.html |archive-date=February 2, 2009 |url-status=dead  }}</ref>

===Retirement===
From 1972 to 2014, Nabors sang "[[Back Home Again in Indiana]]" with the [[Purdue All-American Marching Band]] before each [[Indianapolis 500]] race.<ref name="honolulu" /><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/wire?section=auto&id=2882785 |title='Back Home Again,' Jim Nabors intertwined in Indy 500 tradition |website=[[ESPN]] |access-date=November 22, 2008 |agency=[[Associated Press]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100605004929/http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=auto&id=2882785 |archive-date=June 5, 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref> In March 2014, Nabors announced that the [[2014 Indianapolis 500]] would be his final appearance, because health issues were limiting his ability to travel.<ref name="Kim 2014-03-21">{{cite web |first=Jaimie |last=Kim |title=Lifestyle // Old Friends: Jim Nabors |url=http://www.midweek.com/jim-nabors/ |newspaper=[[MidWeek]] |location=[[Honolulu]] |date=March 21, 2014 |access-date=March 25, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140326043120/http://www.midweek.com/jim-nabors/ |archive-date=March 26, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> 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 named  [[Chicago Blackhawks]] anthem singer [[Jim Cornelison]] as permanent replacement.

==Personal life==
Nabors began vacationing in Hawaii in the 1960s, and in 1976, moved from [[Bel Air, California]], to Honolulu, Hawaii. For 25 years, he owned a [[macadamia]] [[plantation]] on [[Maui]] before selling it to the [[National Tropical Botanical Garden]], a [[conservation movement|conservationist]] organization, though he still retained farming rights to the land and owned a second home on the property.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.midweek.com/content/columns/oldfriends_article/jim_nabors/ |title=Jim Nabors |first=Matt |last=Tuohy |date=July 16, 2008 |newspaper=MidWeek |location=Honolulu |access-date=December 7, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100604010212/http://www.midweek.com/content/columns/oldfriends_article/jim_nabors/ |archive-date=June 4, 2010}}</ref>
[[File:2010 - Actor Jim Nabors.JPG|thumb|right|200px|Nabors in 2010]]  He also owned a home and spent some summers in [[Whitefish, Montana]], during the 1990s.

On January 15, 2013, Nabors married his partner of 38 years, Stan Cadwallader, at the [[Fairmont Olympic Hotel]] in [[Seattle, Washington]], a month after [[same-sex marriage]] became legal in [[Washington (state)|Washington]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/20805642/exclusive-actor-jim-nabors-marries-his-longtime-male-partner |title=EXCLUSIVE: Actor Jim Nabors marries his longtime male partner |first=Keoki |last=Kerr | work=[[KHNL]] News |access-date=July 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113100254/http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/20805642/exclusive-actor-jim-nabors-marries-his-longtime-male-partner |archive-date=November 13, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://blogs.seattletimes.com/today/2013/01/gomer-pyle-usmc-star-jim-nabors-marries-male-partner-in-seattle/ |title='Gomer Pyle, USMC' star Jim Nabors marries male partner in Seattle |newspaper=[[The Seattle Times]] |date=January 29, 2013 |access-date=December 5, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113092650/http://blogs.seattletimes.com/today/2013/01/gomer-pyle-usmc-star-jim-nabors-marries-male-partner-in-seattle/ |archive-date=November 13, 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://mynorthwest.com/174/2188026/Actor-Jim-Nabors-marries-male-partner-in-Seattle |title=Actor Jim Nabors marries male partner in Seattle |work=[[KIRO-TV|KIRO News]] |date=January 29, 2013 |access-date=December 5, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113092758/http://mynorthwest.com/174/2188026/Actor-Jim-Nabors-marries-male-partner-in-Seattle |archive-date=November 13, 2013 }}</ref> 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.<ref name=MMotor>{{cite news |magazine=[[Motor (Australian magazine)|Modern Motor]] |page=82 |quotation=Nabors, who was accompanied by a rather pretty male friend, was to sing... |title=The Three-Hour Yawn |first=Peter |last=McKay |date=September 1978 |volume=25 |number=4 }}</ref>

===Alleged relationship with Rock Hudson===
A longstanding rumor maintains that Nabors married actor [[Rock Hudson]] in the early 1970s, shortly before Nabors began his relationship with Cadwallader.<ref name="Snopes"/>
Not only was same-sex marriage not legal anywhere in the United States at the time, but the two [[closeted]] homosexual actors were, according to each, never more than casual friends. According to Hudson, the story originated with a group of "middle-aged [[homosexuals]] who live in [[Huntington Beach]]", who sent out joke invitations for their annual get-together.<ref name="NYTobit">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/30/obituaries/jim-nabors-87-tvs-gomer-pyle-is-dead.html |title=Jim Nabors, 87, TV's Gomer Pyle, Is Dead |newspaper=The New York Times |date=November 30, 2017 |access-date=November 30, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171130205244/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/30/obituaries/jim-nabors-87-tvs-gomer-pyle-is-dead.html |archive-date=November 30, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> One year, the group invited its members to witness "the marriage of Rock Hudson and Jim Nabors", at which Hudson would take the surname of Nabors' most famous character, [[Gomer Pyle]], becoming "Rock Pyle".<ref name="Snopes" /> The rumors spread, and because of this the two made sure they were never seen in public together.<ref name="Snopes">{{cite web |first=Barbara |last=Mikkelson |title=Good Nabors Policy |url=http://www.snopes.com/movies/actors/nabors.asp |website=[[Snopes]] |date=August 10, 2007 |access-date=September 5, 2007}}</ref>

==Death==
Nabors died at his [[Honolulu, Hawaii]], home on November 30, 2017, aged 87.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tmz.com/2017/11/30/jim-nabors-dead-dies/ |title=Jim Nabors Dead at 87 |website=[[TMZ]] |date=November 30, 2017 |access-date=November 30, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171130174933/http://www.tmz.com/2017/11/30/jim-nabors-dead-dies/ |archive-date=November 30, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Bernardo 2017">{{cite web |last=Bernardo |first=Rosemarie |title=TV legend, Hawaii resident Jim Nabors dies at 87 |newspaper=Honolulu Star-Advertiser |date=November 30, 2017 |url=http://www.staradvertiser.com/2017/11/30/features/tv-star-jim-nabors-dies-at-87/ |access-date=November 30, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171130194509/http://www.staradvertiser.com/2017/11/30/features/tv-star-jim-nabors-dies-at-87/ |archive-date=November 30, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="NYTobit" />

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."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/USMC/status/936330482039578624 |title=U.S. Marines on Twitter |publisher=[[United States Marines]] |date=November 30, 2017 |access-date=November 30, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201133433/https://twitter.com/USMC/status/936330482039578624 |archive-date=December 1, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Second Lady of the United States]] and former First Lady of Indiana [[Karen 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."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/SecondLady/status/936363092937756672 |title=Karen Pence on Twitter |website=Twitter |access-date=November 30, 2017 |date=November 30, 2017}}</ref>

In an interview with ''[[The 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."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/THR/status/936317691245117440 |title=The Hollywood Reporter on Twitter |website=Twitter |access-date=November 30, 2017 |date=November 30, 2017}}</ref> [[IndyCar Series|IndyCar]] driver [[Tony Kanaan]] said "Jim Nabors will always be the voice of '[[Back Home Again in Indiana]]'".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/TonyKanaan/status/936311174521589760 |title=Tony Kanaan on Twitter |website=Twitter |access-date=November 30, 2017 |date=November 30, 2017}}</ref> Journalist [[Larry King]] said Nabors was a "gentle man with immense talent" while sending condolences to his family.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/kingsthings/status/936308164881813504 |title=Larry King on Twitter |website=Twitter |date=November 30, 2017 |access-date=November 30, 2017}}</ref>

==Accolades and honors==
[[File:Jim Nabors 2013.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Nabors in 2013]]
Nabors' successes earned him accolades:
* Nabors received a star on the [[Hollywood Walk of Fame]] in 1991.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/19910204/1264456/seen-heard-said----people |title=Seen, Heard, Said – People |last=Bowman |first=David |date=February 4, 1991 |newspaper=The Seattle Times |access-date=November 22, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100604022855/http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19910204&slug=1264456 |archive-date=June 4, 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref>
* "Gomer Pyle" received an honorary promotion to [[Lance corporal]] from the [[Commandant of the United States Marine Corps|Commandant of the Marine Corps]] [[James L. Jones]] in 2001, and on September 25, 2007, he was promoted from Lance Corporal to [[Corporal]] by [[Lt. General]] [[John F. Goodman]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2007/Sep/11/br/br0836725491.html |title=Jim Nabors to be named honorary corporal September 25 |last=Harada |first=Wayne |date=September 11, 2007 |newspaper=The Honolulu Advertiser |access-date=November 24, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090108055605/http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2007/Sep/11/br/br0836725491.html |archive-date=January 8, 2009 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.kitv.com/news/14211211/detail.html |title=Marines Promote Jim Nabors' Gomer Pyle |date=September 26, 2007 |work=[[KITV]] News |access-date=November 24, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723124301/http://www.kitv.com/news/14211211/detail.html |archive-date=July 23, 2011}}</ref>
* The [[Hawaii Pacific University]] awarded Nabors the Fellow of the Pacific Award for his "outstanding leadership, service, and dedication to the community".<ref name="honolulu">{{cite news |url=http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2008/Jan/05/br/br8946120735.html |title=Hawaii Pacific University to honor Jim Nabors |newspaper=The Honolulu Advertiser |access-date=November 12, 2008 |date=January 5, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090108055922/http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2008/Jan/05/br/br8946120735.html |archive-date=January 8, 2009|url-status=live}}</ref>
* He was inducted into the [[Alabama Stage and Screen Hall of Fame]] in 2006.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/04/24/AR2006042400730.html |title=Jim Nabors Honored in Home State |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |access-date=November 12, 2008 |date=April 24, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103102916/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/04/24/AR2006042400730.html |archive-date=November 3, 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref>
* He received honors from the University of Alabama on September 2, 2006, before a [[American football|football]] game against the [[University of Hawaii]].
* Nabors, along with U.S. Senator [[Daniel Inouye]], was honored on January 19, 2007, at "A Night of American Heroes", a yearly dinner held in benefit of the [[USS Missouri (BB-63)|Battleship Missouri]] Memorial at [[Pearl Harbor]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://archives.starbulletin.com/2006/12/12/features/dakine.html |title=A night for heroes |date=December 12, 2006 |newspaper=Honolulu Star-Bulletin |access-date=November 24, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100604051108/http://archives.starbulletin.com/2006/12/12/features/dakine.html |archive-date=June 4, 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref>
* In October 1978, the state of Alabama named a section of [[U.S. Route 280#Alabama|U.S. Route 280]] in [[Talladega County, Alabama]], "Jim Nabors Highway" in honor of the Sylacauga native.<ref name="honolulu"/><ref name=wilson/>
* Jim Nabors was made an honorary [[Sergeant]] during the 238th Marine Corps birthday ball celebration on November 15, 2013, by Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. [[James F. Amos]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dvidshub.net/image/1046563/surprise-surprise-surprise-actor-singer-jim-nabors-receives-honorary-promotion-sergeant#.U_G_Fmd0y70 |title=DVIDS - Images - "Surprise, surprise, surprise!" Actor/Singer Jim Nabors receives honorary promotion to Sergeant |website=[[Defense Visual Information Distribution Service]] |date=November 1, 2013 |access-date=August 20, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819125927/http://www.dvidshub.net/image/1046563/surprise-surprise-surprise-actor-singer-jim-nabors-receives-honorary-promotion-sergeant#.U_G_Fmd0y70 |archive-date=August 19, 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Selected discography==
{{main|Jim Nabors discography}}

Nabors recorded 28 albums and numerous singles; three have been certified either [[Oro album|gold or platinum]] by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&se=jim+nabors#search_section |title=Gold & Platinum: Jim Nabors |website=RIAA |access-date=July 29, 2023}}</ref>
* ''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)

==Filmography==

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ Film
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
| 1963
| ''[[Take Her, She's Mine]]''
| Clancy, Sleeping Pill Coffee Shop Manager
| Uncredited
|-
| 1982
|''[[The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (film)|The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas]]''
|Deputy Fred<ref name="tcm120117">{{cite web |url=https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/person/138339%7C0/jim-nabors#filmography |title=Filmography for Jim Nabors |website=[[Turner Classic Movies]] |access-date=December 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201184840/http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/person/138339%7C0/Jim-Nabors/filmography.html |archive-date=December 1, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|
|-
| 1983
|''[[Stroker Ace]]''
| Lugs Harvey<ref name="tcm120117" />
| Won: [[Golden Raspberry Award]] for Worst Supporting Actor<ref name="raspberry">{{cite web |url=http://www.razzies.com/asp/content/XcNewsPlus.asp?cmd=view&articleid=23 |title=1983 Raspberry Awards |last=Wilson |first=John |date=August 23, 2000 |website=[[Golden Raspberry Awards]] |access-date=November 22, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090228144253/http://www.razzies.com/asp/content/XcNewsPlus.asp?cmd=view&articleid=23 |archive-date=February 28, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
| 1984
| ''[[Cannonball Run II]]''
| Pvt. Homer Lyle<ref name="tcm120117" />
|
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ Television
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
| 1961
| ''[[The Steve Allen Show]]''<ref name="nyt113017">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/30/obituaries/jim-nabors-87-tvs-gomer-pyle-is-dead.html |title=Jim Nabors, 87, TV's Gomer Pyle, Is Dead |last=Severo |first=Richard |date=November 30, 2017 |access-date=December 1, 2017 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171130210748/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/30/obituaries/jim-nabors-87-tvs-gomer-pyle-is-dead.html |archive-date=November 30, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>
| Himself
|  
|-
| 1963
| ''[[I'm Dickens, He's Fenster]]''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.antimusic.com/news/12/March/19Im_Dickens,_Hes_Fenster_Coming_To_DVD.shtml |title=I'm Dickens, He's Fenster Coming to DVD |date=March 19, 2012 |website=Antimusic |access-date=December 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171203013746/http://www.antimusic.com/news/12/March/19Im_Dickens,_Hes_Fenster_Coming_To_DVD.shtml |archive-date=December 3, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|
| Episode: "The Carpenters Four"
|-
| 1963
| ''[[Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (TV series)|Mr. Smith Goes to Washington]]''
| Claude
| 2 episodes
|-
| 1963
| ''[[The Danny Kaye Show]]''<ref name="nyt113017" />
| Himself
| 2 episodes
|-
| 1962–1964
| ''[[The Andy Griffith Show]]''<ref name="nyt113017" />
| rowspan="3" | [[Gomer Pyle]]
| 23 episodes
|-
| 1964–1969
|''[[Gomer Pyle – USMC]]''<ref name="nyt113017" />
| 150 episodes
|-
| 1966
| ''[[The Lucy Show]]''
| Episode: "Lucy Gets Caught Up in the Draft"
|-
| 1967
| ''[[The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour]]''<ref name="deadline">{{cite news |url=https://deadline.com/2017/11/jim-nabors-dies-gomer-pyle-obituary-1202217487/ |title=Jim Nabors Dies: 'Gomer Pyle' Star Was 87 |last=Evans |first=Greg |date=November 30, 2017 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |access-date=December 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171130211312/https://deadline.com/2017/11/jim-nabors-dies-gomer-pyle-obituary-1202217487/ |archive-date=November 30, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>
| Himself
| Episode #1.1
|-
| 1968
| ''[[The Dean Martin Show]]''<ref name="deadline" />
| 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]]''<ref name="nyt113017" />
| Host/Various character
| 51 episodes
|-
| 1967–1977
| ''[[The Carol Burnett Show]]''<ref name="nyt113017" />
| Himself
| 11 episodes (the premiere episode of each season<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cleveland.com/tv-blog/index.ssf/2017/12/carol_burnett_show_honored_with_50th_anniversary_special.html |title='Carol Burnett Show' honored with 50th anniversary special |last=Dawidziak |first=Mark|date=December 1, 2017 |newspaper=[[The Plain Dealer]] |location=[[Cleveland]] |access-date=December 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201232644/http://www.cleveland.com/tv-blog/index.ssf/2017/12/carol_burnett_show_honored_with_50th_anniversary_special.html |archive-date=December 1, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>)
|-
| 1970-1971
| [[Sesame Street]]
| Himself
| 2 episode
|-
| 1971
| ''[[The Johnny Cash Show]]''<ref name="deadline" />
| Himself
| Episode #2.19
|-
| 1972–1973
| ''[[The Flip Wilson Show]]''<ref name="deadline" />
| Himself
| 2 episodes
|-
| 1973
| ''[[The Rookies]]''<ref name="rookies" />
| Corley Curlew
| Episode: "Down Home Boy"
|-
| 1973–1974
| ''[[The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour]]''<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1979&dat=19741019&id=an8iAAAAIBAJ&pg=911,2671929&hl=en |title=Disney Feature Best Bet on Weekend Tube |date=October 19, 1974 |newspaper=[[The Sumter Daily Item]] |access-date=December 1, 2017}}</ref>
| Himself/Various characters
| 4 episodes
|-
| 1976
| ''[[The Lost Saucer]]''<ref name="nyt113017" />
| Fum
| 16 episodes
|-
| 1976
| ''[[The Muppet Show]]''<ref name="muppets" />
| Himself/Billy Lee Boomer/Bakery Guard
| Episode #1.4
|-
| 1976–1977
| ''The Sonny & Cher Show''<ref>{{cite news |url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/entertainment/jim-nabors-tvs-gomer-pyle-dies-at-87/ |title=Jim Nabors, TV's Gomer Pyle, dies at 87 |last=DiNunzio |first=Miriam |date=November 30, 2017 |newspaper=[[Chicago Sun-Times]] |access-date=December 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171130204308/https://chicago.suntimes.com/entertainment/jim-nabors-tvs-gomer-pyle-dies-at-87/ |archive-date=November 30, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>
| Himself/Various characters
| 6 episodes
|-
| 1977–1981
| ''[[The Love Boat]]''<ref>{{cite news |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/gomer-pyle-star-jim-nabors-dies-87/story?id=51491228 |title='Gomer Pyle' star Jim Nabors dies at 87 |last=Rothman |first=Michael |date=November 30, 2017 |work=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] |access-date=December 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201023311/http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/gomer-pyle-star-jim-nabors-dies-87/story?id=51491228 |archive-date=December 1, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|Robert Tanner, Wayne Bouton, the valet
| 3 episodes
|-
| 1978
| ''The Jim Nabors Show''<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/local/obituaries/la-me-jim-nabors-snap-story.html |title=Jim Nabors, TV's lovably naive Gomer Pyle, dies at 87 |last=McLellan |first=Dennis |date=November 30, 2017 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |access-date=July 29, 2023 |url-access=subscription}}</ref>
| Host
| Nominated for a [[Daytime Emmy]] (for Outstanding Host or Hostess in a Talk, Service or Variety Series)<ref name="emmy">{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/Sections/Awards/Daytime_Emmy_Awards/1978 |title=Daytime Emmy Awards: 1978 |website=[[IMDb]] |access-date=December 30, 2008}}</ref>
|-
| 1978
| ''Buford and The Galloping Ghost''
| Deputy Goofer McGee (voice)
| 13 episodes
|-
| 1981
| ''[[Aloha Paradise]]''
|
| Episode: "Alex and Annie/Blue Honeymoon/Another Thing"
|-
| 1983
| ''[[Knight Rider (1982 TV series)|Knight Rider]]''<ref>{{cite news |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/3889871/jim-nabors-dead-gomer-pyle/ |title=Jim Nabors dead: Gomer Pyle on 'Andy Griffith Show' dies at 87 |last=Jancelewicz |first=Chris |date=November 30, 2017 |work=[[Global News]] |access-date=December 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171130205318/https://globalnews.ca/news/3889871/jim-nabors-dead-gomer-pyle/ |archive-date=November 30, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>
| Passerby
| Episode: "Soul Survivor"
|-
| 1986
| ''[[Return to Mayberry]]''<ref name="tcm120117" />
| Gomer Pyle
| Television movie
|-
| 1986
| ''Sylvan in Paradise''<ref name="tcm120117" />
| Sylvan Sprayberry
| Television movie
|-
| 1991
| ''[[Hi Honey, I'm Home!]]''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.masslive.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2017/11/gomer_pyle_star_jim_nabors_dea.html |title='Gomer Pyle' star Jim Nabors dead at 87 |last=Kelly |first=Ray |date=November 30, 2017 |newspaper=[[The Republican (Springfield, Massachusetts)|The Republican]] |location=Springfield, Mass |access-date=July 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201232830/http://www.masslive.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2017/11/gomer_pyle_star_jim_nabors_dea.html |archive-date=December 1, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>
| Gomer Pyle
| Episode: "Hi Mom, I'm Not Home"
|-
| 1991
| ''The Carol Burnett Show''
| Skit characters
| Unknown episodes
|}

==Notes==
{{Reflist}}

==Bibliography==
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite book |last=Brower |first=Neil |year=1998 |title=Mayberry 101: Behind the Scenes of a TV Classic | url=https://archive.org/details/mayberry101behin0001brow |publisher=John F. Blair |isbn=978-0-8958-7218-0 |url-access=registration}}
* {{cite book |last=Kelly |first=Richard |year=1985 |title=The Andy Griffith Show |url=https://archive.org/details/andygriffithshow0000kell |publisher=John F. Blair |isbn=978-0-8958-7043-8 |url-access=registration}}
* {{cite book |last=Olson |first=James Stuart |date=December 30, 1990 |title=Historical Dictionary of the 1960s |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jUfiMkBSMrAC&q=Historical+Dictionary+of+the+1960s |publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group |isbn=978-0-3132-9271-2}}
* {{cite book |author=Browne, Ray Broadus |author2=Browne, Pat |title=The Guide to United States Popular Culture |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=U3rJxPYT32MC&q=nabors |publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group |year=2001 |isbn=978-0-8797-2821-2}}
* {{cite book |last=Erickson |first=Hal |date=1998 |title=Sid and Marty Krofft: A Critical Study of Saturday Morning Children's Television, 1969–1993 |url=https://archive.org/details/sidmartykrofftcr0000eric/page/138/mode/2up?q=nabors |pages=138–154 |publisher=[[McFarland & Company]] |isbn=978-0-7864-0518-3 |access-date=July 29, 2023 |url-access=registration}}
* {{cite book |last=Everett |first=Wendy |title=The Seeing Century: Film, Vision and Identity |publisher=[[Rodopi Publishers]] |year=2000 |isbn=978-90-420-1494-7 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lWRW74ZMm1MC&q=Gomer+Pyle&pg=PA191 |access-date=December 17, 2008 |page=191}}
* {{cite book |last=Brioux |first=Bill |title=Truth and Rumors: The Reality Behind TV's Most Famous Myths |publisher=[[Greenwood Publishing Group]] |year=2007 |pages=61–62 |chapter=Would You Believe...? Strange Stories from the '60s |isbn=978-0-275-99247-7 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jouAn6aCMSEC&q=Gomer+Pyle&pg=PA61 |access-date=December 17, 2008}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{Portal|Biography|Film|Music}}
{{Commons category|Jim Nabors}}
* {{Official website}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20040929003414/http://www.cmt.com/artists/az/nabors_jim/albums.jhtml Discography at CMT.com]
* {{IMDb name}}
* {{Tcmdb name}}
* {{Hollywood Walk of Fame|Jim-Nabors}}

{{Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actor}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Nabors, Jim}}
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