Actor Jim Nabors, TV's Gomer Pyle, marries longtime male partner in Seattle

[ProfessionalLeftist]

NEW YORK -- The actor best known for playing the TV character Gomer Pyle in the 1960s has married his male partner of 38 years.

Hawaii News Now reports Jim Nabors and his partner, Stan Cadwallader, traveled from their Honolulu home to Seattle to be married Jan. 15.

Gay marriage became legal in Washington state last month.

MORE:

http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news/entertainment&id=8973432

[Happyhippychick]

1. Mazel tov! I wish them 38 more years of happiness!

[eggplant]

54. It'll never last.

(do I really need a sarcasm tag here?)

[Happyhippychick]

55. Nah, I got it!

[LWolf]

2. That's wonderful.

Finally, at 82 years old.

[ProfessionalLeftist]

5. It really is! I wish them all the happiness...

...always loved Jim Nabors.

[liberal N proud]

3. Well Gollee

[Whovian]

4. GO-OLLY! Congrats, Jim.

[demwing]

6. You know, Mayberry

Seemed much more conservative before everyone figured out how freaky liberal and radically progressive the place was

[LiberalFighter]

22. They tried to respect people

except for Deputy Fife going off the rockers every once in a while. Sheriff Taylor wanting to do it peacefully and without threatening anyone with violence.

[demwing]

34. And Griffith is an old school liberal

Same with Ron Howard, and though I don't know Jim Neighbor's politics, as the article states - he is out, and just married his partner.

Mayberry was a bastion of liberal sympathizers. The San Francisco of the South.

[Taverner]

36. Jim Nabors has always been very close to the church and gospel music

So I can understand any dilemma in holding back one's true self

[LiberalFighter]

42. Just to be clear I was identifying the charactors and not the actors.

[demwing]

46. I understand :)

but just to be clear, in my earlier post (http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022282512#post6), I wasn't.

[Zorra]

28. A bunch of hippies moved in with all that commie librul peace and love stuff,

and the whole place went to pot.

[nykym]

52. More likely a bunch

of Hipsters and speculators, which drove up real estate prices, increased white collar crime, Shady politicians and so on.
Gentrification at it's best.

[Heidi]

7. Kick!

[bigwillq]

8. Awesome!

K and R

[Erose999]

9. Shuuuuuuuuuuzzam!

[AnneD]

10. Surprise surprise surprise....

not! Congrats to the happy couple.

[KurtNYC]

11. soundbite

[awoke_in_2003]

69. Glad I scrolled down...

and I agree.

On edit- scrolled not scolded

[RetroGamer1971]

12. WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Good thoughts, and happy wishes to the happy couple!

[BumRushDaShow]

13. I remember decades ago being floored by his singing voice

Congrats Mr. Nabors, thanks for the laughs when I was a kid, and this has been a long time coming!

[ProfessionalLeftist]

18. Wow. I had forgotten about that. Thanks for the reminder. n/t

[BumRushDaShow]

21. Our high school class sang that song at graduation almost 35 years ago. lol

More...

Very talented guy here with a very talented lady!

Seems they don't make 'em like this anymore.

[Motown_Johnny]

27. For most entertainers, that voice would have defined them

but he broke out through it and used more than that one gift.

Truly extraordinary.

[stuntcat]

86. I LOVE it!

I've always loved him. This is great news, I am so happy!!!!

[pink-o]

14. It's awesome that older gays have lived to see this!

I was brought up in the 60s, and it was pretty well an open secret that Jim Nabors was gay. He even had a longstanding relationship with Rock Hudson.

But no way in hell could an actor ever go public with it. Poor Rock--he might not have had so many partners and contracted AIDS if he could've settled down with one and nested. But Richard Chamberlain, George Takei and now Gomer can finally be true to themselves.

I know there's still a long way to go. But I remember when my friend's father divorced his wife and left her for his "best friend" Mr Archibald. In 1974 it was a HUGE scandal. But then, last week, I had 3 of my gay friends calling me and crying that President Obama mentioned Stonewall in his inagural address. We're heading for the day when NOBODY feels they have to stay in the closet, and can live a full, open life before they're almost at the end of it!

[Myrina]

19. Richard Chamberlain?

I missed that one!

[BumRushDaShow]

24. That was the buzz about 25 years ago

but he finally wrote about it in his autobiography about 10 years ago.

Dr. Kildare! I liked him in Thornbirds too.

[pink-o]

51. Here:

http://greginhollywood.com/richard-chamberlain-talks-about-being-gay-67975

[CBGLuthier]

29. I do not think that he and Hudson had a relationship. I may be wrong.

That one was mainly the result of a bad joke.

http://www.snopes.com/movies/actors/nabors.asp

[Botany]

15. Shazam

[MynameisBlarney]

16. It's sad

that some couples have had to wait so long in order to marry.

[ReRe]

17. Well, Contratulations to the happy couple!

K&R

[cilla4progress]

20. Haven't thought about him in a long time - loved the character

part of my growing up.

ShaZAM!

[Motown_Johnny]

23. Not an Indy 500 fan?

[datasuspect]

25. he's a wonderful man

i love the way he sings.

[Wolf Frankula]

26. He Always Said He was 'Married' to his Career.

Also many years ago I heard an interview where said "I never married because nobody could ever live with me."

Wolf

[AnneD]

37. Yes, and he got that

case of Hepatitis from a razor too. That is when I really began to doubt him. I understand why so many of the old celebs were in the closet, but I really disliked that they weren't more honest.

But then again, not everyone has the strength to stand up for their rights-but my hats off to those that do. Sometimes all it takes is one person.

[yurbud]

30. I loved Gomer Pyle as a kid. I'm glad he's found some happiness

[Bluenorthwest]

31. Great news, Jim and Stan are really sweet and private people so I am thrilled that this is public

news.

[SHRED]

32. SHAZAMMMMM

[joeybee12]

33. As Mr. Burns saud, he's the 8th wonder of the world...how that amazing voice

came out of him.

Best of luck to them!

[Duer 157099]

35. He's gay?

Who knew?

But for those saying things like "now he can finally be happy" etc, he's been with this partner for 38 years! I think he's probably been happy all that time.

For many people who get married at this age, it is all about logistics and finances, not romance, imho.

But congrats to the happy couple!

[GoCubsGo]

38. I never would have guessed it.

Not that it matters. I am just sorry he had to wait 38 years, and at the age of 82 to be able to marry his partner legally. But, AFAIC, they have been married all along.

[LiberalFighter]

45. If not in the technical sense then at least under common law marriage.

You would think Hawaii would had had something similar to common law prior to their becoming a state but don't see it. And that Hawaii would be more open to same sex marriage.

[Terra Alta]

39. Congrats to them.

Stories like this just make my day. I wish them many more years of happiness!

[HappyMe]

40. Aaw! That's so nice.

Congrats to the newlyweds.

[Liberal_Dog]

41. K & R

Jim Nabors has brought me a lot of joy over the years, so this news makes me very happy.

[DissidentVoice]

43. Of course, this was rumoured for years

It was rumoured for years that Jim was gay...it was one of those issues where I just thought "what the hell if he is, he's still the same actor and singer, it doesn't change anything. If he's ready to tell the world, it'll be when he thinks the time is right."

Obviously he now thought the time was right.

The late Roy Stuart, who played Corporal Boyle on Gomer Pyle USMC, was also gay.

I wish them all the best in their "golden years." Jim gave me a lot of laughs from Gomer Pyle and Andy Griffith reruns when I was a kid.

[derby378]

47. Rumor? AFAIK, it was rather evident

Ever hear Nabors perform You Are the Sunshine of My Life before? As a married man, myself, I could tell he was performing it with that special someone in mind.

[DissidentVoice]

50. No, I didn't hear that one

I think Jim, by nature, is kind of a private person anyway.

[derby378]

53. That was my take, but the dynamic is roughly the same

If you're the type that tries to be a good spouse to your true love, when you hear another man singing a love song while thinking of his own beloved, whether he's private or not, a little something tends to shine through.

Or maybe it's just me.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

44. I'm picturing some guy in a panic burning his Gomer Pyle collection....

Then recreating the shower scene from Ace Ventura - Pet Detective.

[BeeBee]

48. Yay! Congratulations to him and his husband. n/t

[redqueen]

49. Awwww

[Elwood P Dowd]

56. Remember the Jim Nabors' Christmas albums back in the 1960s and 1970s?

Most of the younger crowd probably doesn't realize he also had a singing career and put out several albums.

[underpants]

66. He had a fantastic voice

Good for him. I am glad that he made it official and his partner can enjoy the 1,000+ rights that married couples have had.

[calimary]

57. "Surprise, surprise, surprise!" NOT.

Good for him! Good for them both! I hope he and his partner have many more years of happiness. Official now!

[Mapletonian]

58. Congratulations to Mr Nabors! I hope you have many years of happiness together

Gomer Pyle taught me a lot about how to treat a lady. I just loved that Luann Poovey!

[CountAllVotes]

59. Well Good Golly Miss Molly!!!

[Ishoutandscream2]

60. I'm just trying to wrap my mind around Jim being in his 80s

Christ, where does time go?

[napkinz]

61. how many remember him in this show!

[NICO9000]

62. This is a perfect argument for marriage equality

The guys have been together for 38 years, fer crissakes! That sounds like a lifelong dedication to each other from where I sit.

Marriage equality is coming and these homophobes and fundies will not be able to stop it. I've always said to people with anti-gay views that if God is against homosexuality, then why have there been millions and millions of them throughout history? I thought God didn't make no mistakes, so what is it?

But hey, congrats to Jim and Stan!

[tpsbmam]

72. When you consider the divorce rate for heterosexual marriages

hovers around 50% for 1st marriages, 2nd marriages at 60 to 67% and for 3rd marriages the divorce rate is about 70%.....WTF is so bloody sacred about heterosexual marriage? 38 years is most of their adult lives and wonderful, and if you're inclined to religious descriptions, more blessed than a 74% divorce rate!

My congratulations to the happy newlyweds.

http://www.wbez.org/blogs/bez/2012-10/ever-changing-marriage-carousel-103197

[Ian Iam]

63. Congratulations to Mr Pyle

Although, I must confess, I had thought he was long dead!

[Skittles]

64. CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK YOU MR. NABORS!!!

[Faygo Kid]

65. He and Thelma Lou (and Opie) are about all who are left from that great show

May he enjoy his remaining years in good health and happiness.

Betty Lynn, too.

Jim Nabors has now married, but Betty Lynn never did. I had a crush on her way back in the day. Still do.

[ProfessionalLeftist]

88. Betty Lynn (Thelma Lou)...talking about the death of Andy Griffith last year

[2naSalit]

67. Wow!

I thought he passed away a long time ago. Glad he's been happy and finally gets to do the "I do" stuff... since that's what he wanted. Awesome vocalist.

[shenmue]

68. I'm gonna cry

It's beautiful!

[AnnieBW]

70. I'll bet that he won't be singing "Back Home Again In Indiana" Now!

Every year, before the Indy 500, Jim Nabors sings the song "Back Home Again in Indiana". I wonder if he'll be disinvited this year. Who knows, The Gay might accidentally spill out onto the track and infect the drivers!

[AngryOldDem]

83. Actually, here in Indianapolis, most people have been quite supportive and congratulatory.

He is loved here. Absolutely loved. He couldn't make it last year because of some health troubles, and it really wasn't the same with without him.

[rocktivity]

71. Well gollllllllly and surprise surprise surprise!

rocktivity

[liberal_at_heart]

73. Congratulations to him and his husband

[defacto7]

74. That is so fantastic!

I used to love watching him as a kid... maybe that's why I used to think about..... uh... no, no, don't think about that... It will pass. I know it will. Damn you evil thoughts.....

Anyway...

What a fine upstanding young man he was then.

All in fun...

Congrats Jim, I have always admired you. Thanks for being you... and I always knew you were gay!

[Elwood P Dowd]

75. Remember the hot date he had with this lady?

Besides acting and singing, he also enjoyed dancing in his younger days.

[tilsammans]

76. Congratulations, Jim and Stan! n/t

[Pachamama]

77. So Lindsay Graham not only looks like him....

[David__77]

81. Don't insult Jim Nabors like that!

Lindsay Graham isn't in the same league at all!

[Pachamama]

89. Agreed....

Jim Nabors sounds like a truly kind and special individual.....how wonderful that he and his partner of 38 years could marry...

Lindsay Graham on the other hand, is not a kind and special individual - he has done so much damage and IMHO has in his own self-hatred has taken it out in horrible public policy positions on LGBT issues and what he has done on torture and Gitmo etc...

I believe he is a tortured soul who has done some very bad things as he has tried to hide his sexuality.....

[Politicalboi]

78. Well Gollylee!

Shazam.

[Deep13]

79. Here he is on the Carole Burnette Show.

[stuntcat]

85. Oh my gosh, I LOVE it!!!

I remember hearing him sing before but it wasn't my kind of music, it was back when I was being an 80s kid. But seeing this now, with the great news, I've got happy tears!!

[David__77]

80. Huh???

I had no idea he was gay, but I guess it makes sense! I'm gay, but no good at identifying gay people.

[graham4anything]

82. May he have continued happiness. Great they could finally make it legal.

and I will never forget in the 60s, the first time I heard his singing voice.

Andy Griffith indeed was a major liberal, and the irony of his show was indeed how liberal it was.

The rightwing idolized that show.

We watched it up in NYC though there were others I myself enjoyed more at the time,
but the last couple of years been watching the reruns on tvland I think, and its good to see them again. I have grown to appreciate the show much more now, and see how great Andy & Ron & Don & Jim & Aunt Bee were.
Ron Howard is one of the most down to earth people, I always give kudos to his parents for his upbringing, he is one of the few child stars who never had a problem, and is one of the few who easily made the transistion from child to teen, to young adult to adult.(Wish he would act more,but his time is spent directing.)

And did Andy ever use a gun? Even once?

And of course Mayberry and Gomer and then later, in all those Burt Reynolds movies.

He basically retired around 1990 I think.So those younger people here probably never saw him in anything live time. But Andy,Gomer, Mayberry will always be around to be downloaded or watched.

[TrollBuster9090]

84. Hilarious.Right wing heads must be exploding over Sheriff Taylor and Private Pyle both being

progressives.

Andy Griffith doing commercials for Obamacare, and Jim Nabors advocating gay marriage equality.

[ProfessionalLeftist]

87. That's one very delicious part of all this. :)

Andy Griffith aka Andy Taylor was a fine NC Democrat.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

90. Surprise surprise surprise - not

Rumors about him being gay have been around since his show was on.

Anyone who maintains a relationship that long should be allowed to marry.