Jim Nabors was as unique as they came. He had a distinctive voice and accent, and brought to life memorable characters who were consistently entertaining, effortlessly funny, and rarely disappointing.
While many fans felt this way about Nabors, they weren’t alone. In the 1960s, one of his biggest admirers wasn’t the audience — it was Andy Griffith.
Nabors first made his big appearance as Gomer Pyle on The Andy Griffith Show in season three. The character became so popular that it led to a spinoff, Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. — not a bad deal for someone who started with a single guest role.
According to a 1965 interview with the Reporter-Dispatch, Andy Griffith said Nabors wasn’t just Gomer Pyle, but a comedian he deeply admired.
“Jim is just beginning, and I’m delighted by his success, but he’s got a lot more to offer than Gomer Pyle,” Griffith said. “Don and I took him to Lake Tahoe last year with our act, and darned if he didn’t steal the show. He’s got a marvelous singing voice and a great sense of comedy.”
Griffith believed Nabors’ talent had no limits and supported him every step of the way — even defending aspects of his performance that some viewers questioned.
“A lot of people complain they can’t understand everything Jim says as Gomer,” Griffith said. “But I was like that at first. As time goes on, you’ll notice that Jim will lose just enough of his accent.”
According to the interview, Griffith first discovered Nabors performing in a nightclub in Santa Monica. He was so impressed that he knew there had to be a place for him on television and fortunately, it ended up being on his own show.
“I went crazy watching him,” Griffith said. “I asked my producer to give him a chance to audition for the role of the filling station operator. That part was just about set, but Jim got a chance — and that was the beginning of Gomer Pyle.”