Jim Nabors Biography

Fast Facts

• Graduated from the University of Alabama with a business degree before relocating to Los Angeles to pursue a career in show business
• Married his longtime partner Stan at 82-years-old in 2013 after Washington state declared same-sex marriages legal
• He was discovered by comedian Bill Dana who then invited Jim to audition for Steve Allen's variety show
• Quote: "I never have (knifed anybody in the back)․ It was just not my nature at all and that is why I was so surprised that I made it in show business at all․"
• After growing tired of portraying slow or dimwitted characters on television, he would refocus on launching his singing career, eventually releasing a number of albums, many of which would go gold and platinum
• Enjoyed his big break after appearing as Gomer Pyle on "The Andy Griffith Show", a character that would eventually earn Nabors his own spin-off that premiered in 1964
• Officially left show business after a 1994 liver transplant and eventually retired to a Hawaiian macadamia nut plantation
• Considered a good luck charm of Carol Burnett and was always present for each season premiere of "The Carol Burnett Show"
• Performed his song "Back Home Again in Indiana" for more than 30 years at the annual Indianapolis 500