The 82-year-old actor, best known for starring on ‘The Andy Griffith Show’ and ‘Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.,’ swapped vows with his partner of 38 years in Washington.
Congratulations are in order for a major TV icon! Jim Nabors — who spent seven years playing gas station attendent-turned-soldier Gomer Pyle on The Andy Griffith Show and Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.— said “I do” to Stan Cadwallader, his partner of 38 years, Jan. 15 in Seattle, Wash.
“I’m 82 and he’s in his ’60s and so we’ve been together for 38 years,” Jim tells Hawaii News Now. “I’m not ashamed of people knowing, it’s just that it was such a personal thing, I didn’t tell anybody. I’m very happy that I’ve had a partner of 38 years, and I feel very blessed. And what can I tell you? I’m just very happy.”
Jim says he first met Stan in 1975, when Stan was a firefighter in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Jim’s Thoughts On Being A Gay Celebrity
Jim’s sexuality has long since been a source of speculation in Hollywood — he was rumored to have been involved with fellow actor Rock Hudson back in the ’70s — and now, he’s finally set the record straight.
(So to speak.)
“I haven’t ever made a public spectacle of it,” Jim says. “I’ve known since I was a child, so, come on. It’s not that kind of a thing. I’ve never made a huge secret of it at all. … This is really no big deal.”
Jim also has a few words of advice for anyone struggling to come out:
“You don’t ever understand [why] people look down on you, or say cruel things to you about that sort of thing,” he says. “Nevertheless, that’s just life, and you just have to get above it.”
— Andy Swift
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- Miley Cyrus Speaks: Why I Got My Tattoo Supporting Same Sex Marriage
- Bristol Palin Is A Huge Hypocrite For Opposing Gay Marriage
Ellen1
Posted at 6:52 PM on January 30, 2013
Congratulations to Jim Nabors and his husband. Thankfully, they’ve obviously been living their lives for 38 years–buy I’m glad and it really warms my heart that Mr. Nabors, at 82 has the opportunity to have his marriage and commitment legally validated.
I used to watch Gomer Pyle on the Andy Griffith Show with my grandparents when I was a little girl. We loved the character– I think “goll-ee” was his catch phrase. I also think he (Gomer Pyle) even got a spin off show. Also, Jim Nabors and Andy Griffith were great singers and would sometimes sing on the show. (chuckle). Jim Nabors I think may have recorded some Christian music and he always spoke kindly in interviews and seemed happy. So glad for him.
Team Gay Marriage!