Claim to Fame:
It was interesting to poll the office for this. I asked different people if
they knew who Jim Nabors was and the young ones said no. When I asked if they
knew who Gomer Pyle was they all did. So it was obvious that Gomer Pyle will
always be Jim Nabors claim to fame.
Family Life: Never married, and was never known for any
romantic life, fueling rumors that he may be gay. In the early 1970s, he was
widely whispered to be "secretly married" to Rock Hudson.
Nabors vehemently denied that Hudson was anything more than a friend, and Hudson
also shrugged off the rumors, albeit less emphatically. As recently as 2000, a
spokesman for Nabors denied that the star is gay, but in a 2005 article about
gay stars in the St Petersburg Times, Nabors was cited as gay alongside such out
icons as Robert Reed, Paul Lynde, and Charles Nelson Reilly. Nabors has voiced
no objection to the Times article.
Info: Jim Nabors was a singer almost as soon as he could talk. He sang in
his church choir, and joined the glee club in high school. He briefly worked as
a typist at the United Nations in New York, but eventually drifted to
California, where he worked as a film cutter at NBC by day, singing in
nightclubs after hours.
He was discovered in 1962, singing at a Santa Monica nightspot called The Horn,
when Andy Griffith came in for drinks. Griffith, though, was more impressed by
Nabors' banter between songs than with his singing, and he asked Nabors to
audition for a one-time appearance on his top-rated Andy Griffith Show.
As you know that one-time appearance turned out to be a career.
Trivia: He came close to death in 1994, but underwent a liver transplant,
regained good health, and resumed his singing career.
Considered by Carol Burnett to be her "good luck charm" and as such was a guest
star on each season's premiere of "The Carol Burnett Show".
Sings "Back Home Again in Indiana" during opening ceremonies of the Indianapolis
500 yearly.
Earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from the
University of Alabama.
Before he acted, he edited news footage for a local TV station.
A foundation that awards grants to teachers every year named a grant in honor of
Jim Nabors in 2003. The foundation is based in Sylacauga, Alabama, his home
town.
In his entire career he has put out 46 albums.
A smart businessman, Jim was one of the owners of "Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C." which
paid off in dividends as a popular syndicated show.
He said that it has always been difficult for him to watch the opening of "Gomer
Pyle, U.S.M.C." because many of the Marines that he is seen marching with were
killed in Vietnam.
The stretch of US Highway 280 near his hometown of Sylacauga, Alabama, has been
re-named the Jim Nabors Highway.
Where
is He Now: Jim lives in Hawaii, where he owns a macadamia nut farm.
He still is actively doing some singing engagement, although he has cut his
schedule way back. Here are some upcoming appearances.
Mohegan Sun Casino
1 Mohegan Sun Blvd
Uncasville, CT 06382
Dates: 8 - 9 - 10 June 2007
He was honored on Friday, January 19th 2007 at "A Night of American Heroes," a
patriotic musical salute to recognize individuals who epitomize the ideals of
American heroism and values.
WRITE TO
Jim: Jim Nabors
PO Box 10364
Honolulu, HI 96816
CREDITS:
"The Carol Burnett Show" (1991) TV Series .... Skit characters
"Hi Honey, I'm Home" .... Gomer Pyle (1 episode, 1991)
- Hi Mom, I'm Not Home (1991) TV Episode .... Gomer Pyle
Return to Mayberry (1986) (TV) .... Gomer Pyle
Cannonball Run II (1984) .... Pvt. Homer Lyle
Stroker Ace (1983) .... Lugs Harvey
The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982) .... Deputy Fred
"The Love Boat" .... Wayne Bouton, the valet / ... (3 episodes, 1977-1981)
"Aloha Paradise" (1 episode, 1981)
- Alex and Annie/Blue Honeymoon/Another Thing (1981) TV Episode
"Buford and the Galloping Ghost" (1979) TV Series (voice)
"The Jim Nabors Show" .... Host (2 episodes, 1978)
A Different Approach (1978)
"The Carol Burnett Show" .... Various (2 episodes, 1976-1977)
"The Lost Saucer" (1975) TV Series .... Fum (unknown episodes)
"The Rookies" .... Corley Curlew (1 episode, 1973)
- Down Home Boy (1973) TV Episode .... Corley Curlew
"The Jim Nabors Hour" (1969) TV Series .... Host
"Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C." .... Pvt. Gomer Pyle (31 episodes, 1964-1969)
"The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour" (1 episode, 1967)
- Episode dated 5 February 1967 (1967) TV Episode
"The Lucy Show" .... Pvt. Gomer Pyle (1 episode, 1966)
- Lucy Gets Caught Up in the Draft (1966) TV .... Pvt. Gomer Pyle
"The Andy Griffith Show" .... Gomer Pyle (19 episodes, 1962-1964)
"The Danny Kaye Show" (1 episode, 1964)
- Episode #1.29 (1964) TV Episode
Take Her, She's Mine (1963) (uncredited) .... Clancy, Coffee Shop Manager
"I'm Dickens, He's Fenster" (1 episode, 1963)
- The Carpenters Four (1963) TV Episode
"The New Steve Allen Show" .... Regular (1 episode, 1961)
- UCLA (1961) TV Episode .... Regular
DISCOGRAPHY:
Condo Painting (2000) (performer: "You'll Never Walk Alone")
The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982) (performer: "20 Fans")
"The Muppet Show" (1 episode, 1976)
- (performer: "Gone With The Wind", "Thank God I'm A Country Boy")
Shazam
Jim Nabors Sings.
By Request
The Things I Love
Jim Nabors Christmas Album. Gold
Kiss Me Goodbye
Jim Nabors Sings The Lord's Prayer Gold
Galveston
The Jim Nabors Hour
Everything is Beautiful
Somewhere My Love
Jim Nabors, For The Good Times
How Great Thou Art
Help Me Make It Through The Night
Jim Nabors / The Way Of Love
The Man of La Mancha
Jim Nabors / The Twelfth of Never
Old Time Religion
Jim Nabors Sings Love Me With All Your Heart Gold
Christmas Again
The Heart Touching Magic Of Jim Nabors * Platinum
16 Most Requested Songs
Best Of Jim Nabors
Inspirational Moments
Precious Memories
Songs Of Inspiration
Christmas With Jim Nabors
Magic Moods
Favorite Hymns
Hymns and Country
Sincerely / Town And Country
The Country Side Of Jim Nabors
The Golden Voice OF Jim Nabors
When He Spoke
SINGLES:
God Bless America
I'll Begin Again / Louisiana Lady
Love Me With All Your Heart
Tomorrow Never Comes / It's My Life
I Was A King At Jesus ' Birth/O Holy Night
It's My Life / Young Hearts, Young Hands
Impossible Dream / Time After Time
I Must Have Been Out Of My Mind / To Give
White Christmas / In A Humble Place
You Know You Don't Want Me / It Hurts To Say Goodbye
You're Gonna Hear From Me
Love Me With All Your Heart / Rock a Bye Baby With A Dixie Melody
You Don't Have To Say You Love Me
Shazam / Old Blue
The End (At the End of the Rainbow) / It Won't Hurt To Try Again
Updated:
5/13/2007
WRITE TO
Jim:
