Wissenswertes

He said that it has always been difficult for him to watch the opening of Gomer Pyle: USMC (1964) because many of the Marines that he is seen marching with were killed in Vietnam.

Considered by Carol Burnett to be her "good luck charm" and as such was a guest star on each season's premiere of The Carol Burnett Show (1967).

A smart businessman, Nabors was one of the owners of Gomer Pyle: USMC (1964) which paid off in dividends as a popular syndicated show.

A foundation that awards grants to teachers every year named a grant in Nabors' honor (2003). The foundation is based in Sylacauga, Alabama, his home town.

Has put out 46 albums in his entire recording career.

He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Live Theatre at 6435 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on January 31, 1991.

Received his Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from the University of Alabama. Was a member of Delta Tau Delta International Fraternity.

Was friends with television personality Mary Hart, who helped get the word out that he needed a liver transplant.

He was friends with Andy Griffith, Frank Sutton, Christine Schwahlen and Carol Burnett.

Sang "Back Home Again in Indiana" for 42 years during opening ceremonies of the "Indianapolis 500", located in Speedway, Indiana, from 1972 before declining health forced him to discontinue appearing. His final performance was May 25, 2014. However, his first appearance in 1972 was a confusing one. He thought he was invited to sing the National Anthem. But a scant few minutes before he was to perform he found out he was to sing "Back Home Again in Indiana"! In this short period of time, to his credit, (surprise-surprise-surprise) he learned the melody and words and performed it flawlessly. Also as a special gesture to Jim's final performance at Indy, the starting command "Lady and Gentlemen Start Your Engines" was given together by both Mari Hulman George and Nabors, the first time a non-member of the Hulman-George family had given the command for the 500 since 1954.

Long-standing Hollywood gossip had Jim secretively marrying actor Rock Hudson back in the 1970s. While the two were never more than friends at this time, because of the fear that one or both of them might be "outed" and their careers destroyed, Nabors and Hudson never saw or spoke to each other again in order to help squelch the rumor.

At age 82, he married 64-year-old Stan Cadwallader, a former firefighter and life partner of some 38 years, in a small ceremony on January 15, 2013, at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel in downtown Seattle, where the couple traveled after same sex marriage became legal in Washington State the month before.

Before he began acting, he edited news footage for a local television station.

In 1971, Nabors was honored at Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Louisiana, by accepting an invitation to be the king of the Bacchus Parade that same year. There are a broad range of recipients of this honor; for example: Kirk Douglas, Charlton Heston, Will Ferrell, James Gandolfini, Val Kilmer, Andy Garcia, Elijah Wood and Hulk Hogan, to name several.

Was only seen with his on-screen cousin George Lindsey on three occasions: Fun Girls (1964), A Visit from Cousin Goober (1965) and Return to Mayberry (1986).

He received honors from the University of Alabama on September 2, 2006, before a football game against the University of Hawaii.

Following his death, he was cremated and his ashes were sprinkled off Honolulu, Hawaii.

Both Nabors an former president George H.W. Bush (41) were born on June 12 - Nabors in 1930 and Bush in 1924. Both died on November 30 - Nabors in 2017 and Bush in 2018.

He resided in Honolulu, Hawaii on property that has a working macadamia nut farm.

He was made an honorary Sergeant during the 238th United States Marine Corps birthday ball celebration on November 15, 2013 by General James F. Amos, Commandant of the Marine Corps.