Jim Nabors rose to fame as the lovable and naive gas station attendant Gomer Pyle on The Andy Griffith Show in the 1960s. Though the role was originally meant to be minor, Nabors’ charm and comedic timing quickly made him a standout, leading to his own hit spin-off, Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. The series, which ran from 1964 to 1969, followed the character’s misadventures in the Marine Corps and solidified Nabors as one of television’s most recognizable stars. Beyond acting, Nabors’ deep baritone voice, developed in his church choir, became another hallmark of his career and was showcased on his variety program, The Jim Nabors Hour.
After his sitcom success, Nabors remained a familiar face on television. He appeared on popular shows such as The Carol Burnett Show and The Love Boat, delighting audiences with both his humor and music. He also ventured into film through his close friendship with Burt Reynolds, appearing in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Stroker Ace, and Cannonball Run II. While the movies met with critical disapproval and even earned him a Golden Raspberry Award, Nabors’ popularity endured, and he later reprised his role as Gomer in the TV reunion film Return to Mayberry.
Away from the screen, Nabors lived a private but fulfilling personal life. In January 2013, he married his longtime partner, Stan Cadwallader, in a small ceremony in Seattle after nearly 40 years together. Though he had never publicly declared his sexuality during his career, Nabors emphasized that he never deliberately hid it, sharing that he felt blessed to have had such a lasting partnership. The marriage gave them legal recognition and peace of mind as Nabors grew older.
The couple’s story began in the 1960s in Honolulu, where Cadwallader worked as a firefighter. Nabors later relocated permanently to Hawaii, purchasing a macadamia nut farm before settling into a seaside estate in Ke’ahamoe Bay in the early 1990s. From there, the two built a quiet life together, traveling occasionally but largely enjoying the privacy and beauty of the islands. Their relationship remained strong until Nabors’ final years.
Even in later life, Nabors continued to perform, most famously singing “Back Home Again in Indiana” before the Indianapolis 500, a tradition he held for decades. His health struggles, including a battle with Hepatitis B and a liver transplant in 1994, eventually forced him to step back. On November 30, 2017, Jim Nabors passed away peacefully at his Honolulu home at the age of 87. His husband confirmed the news, and tributes poured in from fans, fellow entertainers, and even the U.S. Marine Corps, which honored him with a heartfelt “Semper Fi, Gomer Pyle.”
