Nov. 30 (UPI) — Actor and singer “Jim Nabors,” who starred on “The Andy Griffith Show” and spinoff “Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.,” has died at the age of 87.
Nabors died Thursday in his home in Hawaii, Hawaii News Now reported.
The performer’s longtime partner and husband Stan Cadwallader also confirmed his death to Indiana’s WTHR, which reported that he died peacefully after dealing with health problems the past couple of years.
Nabors is best known for portraying comedic gas station attendant Gomer Pyle in 23 episodes of “The Andy Griffith Show,” before reprising his role as the character in “Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.” for five seasons on CBS from 1964-1969.
Nabors would go on to host his own variety show, “The Jim Nabors Hour,” for two seasons and was a guest on other programs such as “The Carol Burnett Show” and “The Sonny and Cher Show.”
He starred with friend Burt Reynolds in three films, “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas,” “Stroker Ace” and “Cannonball Run II.”
Nabors also enjoyed a successful singing career, releasing 28 albums that included five gold records and one platinum record.
He performed “Back Home Again in Indiana” at the Indianapolis 500 for 42 years before ending his run in 2014.
