James Thurston "Jim" Nabors (June 12, 1930 – November 30, 2017) was an American actor and singer. Born and raised in Sylacauga, Alabama, Nabors moved to Southern California due to his asthma. While working at a Santa Monica nightclub, The Horn, he was discovered by Andy Griffith and later joined The Andy Griffith Show, playing Gomer Pyle, a gas station attendant who some described as dim-witted. Nabors himself has stated that the Gomer character was not so much dim-witted; he just wanted to see the good in people. The character proved popular, and Nabors was given his own spin-off show, Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. Though best known for his portrayal of Gomer Pyle, Nabors became a popular guest on variety shows in the 1960s and 1970s (including two specials of his own in 1969 and 1974) after revealing a rich baritone voice. He subsequently recorded numerous albums and singles, most of them containing romantic ballads.

Filmography

• E! True Hollywood Story
• The Carol Burnett Show
• 1986Return to Mayberry — Gomer Pyle
• 1986Sylvan in Paradise
• 1984Cannonball Run II — Homer
• 1983Stroker Ace — Lugs
• 1982The Best Little Special In Texas
• 1982The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas — Deputy Fred
• 1978A Different Approach
• The Love Boat — Robert Tanner, Wayne Bouton
• The Sonny and Cher Show
• The Lost Saucer — Fum /Doctor Locker
• The Bobby Goldsboro Show
• The Rookies
• The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour
• The Jim Nabors Hour — Host
• Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. — Pvt. Gomer Pyle
• Valentine's Day — Goofy Movie Patron, Eric Winters, Hank Smith
• 1963Take Her, She's Mine — Clancy
• The Andy Griffith Show — Gomer Pyle

Appearances as themselves (21)

• 1985Night of 100 Stars II — Self
• Donny & Marie — Self
• The Muppet Show — Self - Special Guest Star
• 1975Mitzi & 100 Guys — Self
• Dinah! — Self
• 1974Hamburgers — Self
• 1974The 1974 Annual Las Vegas Entertainment Awards — Self
• Tony Orlando and Dawn — Self
• The Julie Andrews Hour — Self
• The Pet Set — Self
• 1970The 5th Dimension Special: An Odyssey in the Cosmic Universe of Peter Max — Self
• The Flip Wilson Show — Self
• 1969Drugs: The Children Are Choosing Drugs In Our Culture — Himself
• The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour — Self
• 1968The Dean Martin Christmas Show — Self (uncredited)
• The Carol Burnett Show — Self - Guest, Self - Guest / Various Characters, Self - Guest / Various Characters / Golly Gee
• The Danny Kaye Show — Self
• The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson — Self - Guest Host
• The Mike Douglas Show — Self - Co-Host
• The Bob Hope Show — Self
• The Ed Sullivan Show — Self