Jim Nabors

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James "Jim" Thurston Nabors (born June 12, 1930 in Sylacauga, Alabama) is an American actor, singer, and comedian. He is best known for his portrayal of the good-hearted but naïve Gomer Pyle on two highly successful 1960s sitcoms, The Andy Griffith Show and its spinoff Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.. Given his goofy demeanor and voice on both Andy Griffith and Gomer Pyle, it was surprising to many when he revealed a strong baritone singing voice and turned it into a successful recording career.

Nabors was also a popular guest on variety shows in the 1960s and 1970s, most notably The Carol Burnett Show and The Muppet Show. Carol Burnett considered Nabors her lucky charm, and he was always the first guest on every new season of her show. Burnett and Nabors have long been close friends. Comedienne Minnie Pearl looked on Nabors as a surrogate son and he often vacationed with her and her husband.

Actor Burt Reynolds used Nabors in a number of his movies during the 1980s.

Twenty-nine times since 1972, he has sung "Back Home Again in Indiana" during pre-race ceremonies for the Indianapolis 500.

Nabors graduated from the University of Alabama. As of 2005, Nabors owns and operates a macadamia nut plantation in Hawaii. In 2001, Private First Class Gomer Pyle received an honorary promotion to Lance Corporal from the Commandant of the Marine Corps James L. Jones.

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