‘Gomer Pyle’ Actor Jim Nabors Dies at 87

Jim Nabors during a visit to Marine Corps Base Hawaii on April 22, 2010. US Marine Corps / Public Domain

Jim Nabors, who played Gomer Pyle on “The Andy Griffith Show,” died at the age of 87, according to reports.

He died at his Hawaii home on Wednesday night, according to Indiana-based WTHR. Details about his death were not revealed in the report, but it said he had poor health over the past few years.

For many years, Nabors, a native of Sylacauga, Alabama, sang “Back Home Again in Indiana” before the Indianapolis 500 auto race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

“He always loved coming back for that annual singing of ‘Back Home Again in Indiana’,” WTHR Sports Director Dave Calabro said. “We lost a great friend and legend.”

“He was just a common guy. He never put on airs. He was approachable, he loved people, he loved the fans. He didn’t care who you were, what you were, he just loved people,” Calabro continued.

Nabors had his own sitcom “Gomer Pyle: USMC” a spinoff of the bumbling character Gomer Pyle on the “Andy Griffith Show.”  He also recorded over 28 albums and appeared in other acting roles.

“It got down to what you think you want to be: an actor or an entertainer. I want to entertain,” Nabors said in 1969 about retiring the Gomer Pyle character to host a variety show, according to The Hollywood Reporter. “I don’t think I’m much of an actor. The only part I ever played was Gomer. I’m the most surprised person around that I’m successful anyway.”

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