Jim Nabor’s home in honolulu was near where I surfed and there were many occasions when he’d be out on his daily walk around the neighborhood and he would never hesitate to stop and say hi and chat for a few minutes. He was such a nice person, just so genuine. Great job on this video.
@@PeaceLoveAndHarmny Oh bs on you. He wasn't walking near the surfers for exercise. How many fat unattractive surfers do you see. And he keeps running into the same guy? People that want something are usually extra nice. I didn't say there was anything wrong with it or that Neighbors did anything inappropriate but I don't have my head in the sand either.
I met Jim right after he had surgery. this would have been 1992 or 93. I was 18 and taking a friend of mine to see his dad and on the way he asked if I wanted to meet Gomer Pyle, How he knew Jim he never told me, But we knocked on the door and out walks Jim. He had a huge bandage on his chest but we still sat on the porch and talked for about two hours. He literally made cookies while this was going on and made me take a plate when we left. Its really a beautiful memory.
My grandfather was a Presbyterian minister and a huge Jim Nabors fan. When he retired as a minister, my grandparents bought a home about a mile and a half from Jim’s property on Oahu. Over the years they became friends. They met and befriended Don Ho through Jim too. My grandparents were snowbirds so they were only in Hawaii in the winter making them treasure their time with their friends even more. My grandpa built schools, medical clinics and churches in central and South America and Africa as a secondary and their new friends were generous donors, without ever being asked. My grandpa knew they were gay and didn’t care, which was shocking given their church’s teachings on homosexuality. Thankfully my grandpa knew how to think for himself. He and grandma simply saw their friends as the kind, talented and generous people they were.
So, your Presbyterian minister grandfather cared more about the money he could raise from his new homosexual friends than he did about what the Bible says about homosexuals.
I can't tell if that's a "burn them at the stake unless they're rich and famous" or "it's ok they're gay in private but we're gonna pretend they're bad in public" comment.
I did meet him by chance in Hawaii in the ‘80’s at a gas station. I had a rental car with a couple of Marine friends. We had gone on a 3 day liberty pass. He Was a really nice man and gave us autographs all 3 of us young Marines where fellow Southerns. I do remember asking a lot about our hometowns etc. What a great truly nice man who took the time to talk to us young Marines.
@@claudiarobinson587 No he just signed autographs. One of my buddies had a disposable cameras Brand new at the time. But haven’t seen my friend him in 39 or 40 years ago. The autograph I’m sure I lost along with other autographs I wish I taken better care of.
@@Mabeylater293 don’t blame the religious. They follow what was written down things written down 3000+years ago. When things on earth for different from today.
“When you are waiting for a transplant, you can’t pray for one, because someone has to die.” I love that man. I’m already a friend of the family, but I have renewed respect him.
As a Marine in the 70's, I remember watching Gomer Pyle, USMC, everyday on the barracks tv. I even remember the build up to his first USMC show prior to being in the Corps. Every Marine watched Pyle and Sgt. Carter in those days. Even today when old reruns come on Marines still watch him. I guess when you have Chesty Puller type Marines enjoying Gomer Pyle you have created a humanness in the toughest fighting force in the world. We were young killing machines back then where little could make us even smile, Gomer made us laugh. Thank you for presenting this vignette about Jim Nabors. He was a kind and loving soul. I will take his memories to the grave !
Awesome yeah I loved that show when I was a kid and always wondered about the realism good to hear a marines take on this. Thanks God bless our marines and jim neighbors. Semper Fi 🇺🇸
My brother joined the Marines because he got drafted into the Army. The Marines let him finish high school...We knew he would have to go to VN,,,,,but he came home ....thank God
Jim is perfect for the part of "Gomer Pyle" Sad, we just lost " *Elizabeth MacRae* ". She played Gomer's girlfriend "Lou-Ann Poovie" She passed on last Month, May 27th, 2024. She was 88 years old. She's now with *Jim Nabors, Frank Sutton (Sgt Carter), Roy Stewart ( Corp Boyle), Forrest Compton (Colonel Grey )* *Allan Melvin (Sgt Hacker), Barbara Stewart (Carters Girlfriend Miss Bunny), Larry Hovis (Larry), Ted Bessel (Frankie, He was also on THAT GIRL FROM 66-71)* They are all up in Heaven so, don't worry about these fine actors... ❤✝✝🙏🏻🌼🕊
@@garychambers5850 I remember all those people, I think you missed out if you didn’t watch, Andy Griffith, green acres, Gillian’s island, all those great shows.
My brother was stationed at Gitmo in 1970 when Jim Nabors came via the Bob Hope show to the base. Jim and my brother became good friends for a while then. Jim Nabors organized a phone call from my brother to our home. That as a big deal back them. He also called us on his own to update us on our brother. Great guy.
You could always tell Carol and Jim had a special connection. They both seemed genuine and unaffected by their fame. Knowing that she reached out to help her friend in his time of need proves that.
You are correct about Carol. I wrote her once just to tell her how much my wife appreciated her show when she was growing up. Helped her get through some bad times. To my surprise, Carol sent back a signed 5x7 black and photo of herself.
I was stationed in Hawaii while serving in the marine band and had the honor of meeting him and performing with him. Was an incredibly sweet man with a wonderful singing voice. I’ll never forget how great a performer he was.
Excellent and heartwarming, Matt. I live in Hawaii and Jim was loved by the community. Fun fact: he had a macadamia nut farm for many years that he jokingly called “Gomer’s Nuts”.
I had the joy of having Mr Nabors on several of my flights to HNL. This was a nine hour flight where I got to spend time with this gentleman. He was the most kind, gentle soul, graceful, respectful individual I ever met. We truly lost a wonderful human being.
It really makes me respect Andy Griffith even more to hear this. I had watched him honor old black blues singers and help Don Knotts recover from alcoholism, but supporting the work & life of a gay man (especially in the south) at the time of the Andy Griffith Show was very kind-hearted & courageous!
I met Jim when I was 11 at the LAX in 1975. I already luved the guy from TV and when I saw him coming up the escalator I was overjoyed, walked right up to him, offered my hand and he looked at me as if I was a long lost friend and we shook hands. He was am awesome man. You could just feel his niceness emanating from him. Thanks for this!! ❤️
I waved hello and said to Mr. Nabors, "Hello. I used to watch your show. I liked it more than Flip Wilson's show." As I recall, they were competitors. He grinned and said "Thank yeeeww." This was at one of those big hotels in Reno, Nevada. Coincidentally, I was going on a down escalator; he was going up. I had just seen Vicki Carr's show. Jim was going to open soon. He was carrying his own suitcase.
I enjoyed his talent, he had a fantastic opera style voice a very good dynamic singer and a very good actor, his personal life was his business that's not what I focused on, I focused on his talent and his personality and the attitude of the man which was very nice and down to earth add to that his talent which made him more enjoyable, I enjoyed the Andy Griffith show and his Gomer Pyle USMC show and the character he portrayed, many good times and great memories.
@@SantinoWilliams3321 Nertz! (That's Old People for "baloney.") I always get a chuckle when I see on these boards some version of "it's none of my business" or "It's their own business." It really means "I'm willing to overlook or forgive what they do privately." But NOBODY ever writes that about straight men and women dating, marrying, or just having random sex. Then one doesn't have to look the other way. That's perfectly okay, move along... there's nothing to forgive. Religious nincompoops and social conservatives never have the self-awareness to know they're haters. They always think they're fair, even progressive, because they tolerate unpopular groups and don't want to kill them. They think people with the "wrong" sexuality can co-exist, even be successful and popular, if they don't "flaunt" it or "rub our faces in it" or other euphemisms for not hiding. Did I mention Nertz?
@@akrenwinkle Well look at it this way, it's really the same thing considering there are alot of stars/ celebrities that you know absolutely nothing about and people still go to shows buy their merchandise etc and they may do in and everything it's just not been uncovered so really people are going on what they see not their private life but appreciating the talent the singing or the acting or the comedic side whatever until they know otherwise and many times if people do by chance find something out I doubt very seriously they throw away the records they bought or stop watching reruns of a really good movie they love that that person made, it comes down to this, the problem people have is that they're always trying to control other people or stay in other people business and not taking care of their own up to par, people like to gossip and be judgemental and appoint themselves holier than thou yet they complain about the Karens too?? The world would be a bit better if people stayed in their lanes and concentrate on their own problems and lives and work them out and let others do the same as long as it's not effecting you them me or anyone else, whatever Jim Nabors was or did is God's business not man's which he says plainly do not judge I am the only judge because I am the only one worthy to judge, I do believe crime and criminal behavior is on the flip side of that however where I feel it's people's right to know who criminals are and what they do for the safety of people and society overall, when I watched his show noone knew all this so now many many years later when people find this out what are people supposed to do pretend they didn't like the show and start bashing a dead man???😳 Or talk about the what they did know about him HIS TALENT which again is what made him popular and appealing soooo noone is looking the other way as you say that's just your interpretation of the situation but in reality perhaps people aren't looking to condemn everyone because they already know no people are perfect and the man is dead there is nothing to look the other way about.
What a great story, I actually met Jim Nabors when I was seven or eight, my brother and I had been taught that the people "in" the TV weren't real, imagine our "surprise, surprise" while out on Halloween night when we walked up to a porch and Gomer Pyle was sitting there handing out candy, he said that famous "GOLLAY!" but we were frozen in our steps because we knew he wasn't real, our Granny told us that he was home visiting his Mother and we did eventually go up to the porch, he let us touch him on the arm to show us that he was real, he talked very gently to us and put us at ease, we always remembered how kind he was and I am so glad that he was able to finally marry the love of his life...take care
What a beautiful tribute to a great guy - growing up with him on all of those TV shows - here I am at 66 - with more than a few tears in my eyes. Thank you is not enough for this very special 25 minute slice of a very special life!
Thank you for this. I grew up on Andy Griffith and never knew Jim Nabors was gay. This video was incredibly heartwarming and I'm so glad that he got his happily ever after despite everything he went through.
My grandfathers cousin was Andy Griffith and I’m grateful this beautiful story is interwoven with my families. What a beautiful man just trying to share such a beautiful gift with the world, only to have hoards of scared humans potentially turn on him because of the choice of whom he spends his life with. Beautiful man, beautiful story, beautiful ending ♥️….plus Carol!!!!!!
He went to school with my Mom and Aunt. My Aunt said he would hang out with the cheerleaders and was always so nice. He would also sing at school and events. He really was very talented.
Mr. Nabors had an extraordinary life. He's one of the celebrities who is always described as kind and relatable. I suspect the dire circumstances of his early life and his earlier failures to break into the industry gave him a strong appreciation for the life he was so lucky to have. Rest In Peace.
Fun bit: I had the pleasure of meeting him in the early 2000s. I was sitting on a secluded beach in a remote part of Maui Hawaii which I frequented for many years when he and a couple walked up and said hello. We enjoyed a conversation and he invited me to come by his place for dinner, He had a nice fruit farm estate there. I remember his warm hospitality and the steaks we had for dinner! Kept in touch with the couple as they were in architecture and design as I am and saw him a few more times at the beach before he passed away
When I was stationed at Kaneohe Bay Marine Corp Air Station, back in 83-87. I was hired and a few other Marines to open door's at his home in Honolulu, during a large party he was throwing. He made sure all Marines were allowed to eat the catered meal that was provided at his party. I met and talked to many famous celebrates there. Jim even had the caterer make us Marines a meal to go, when we left his party. He sang played the piano. Extremely talented man. When I had the opportunity to talk to him, he gave me his undivided attention. He had said he had much respect for our military and how the Marines were in there dress blues. We wore our blues at his party. He was professional and respectable at all times.
Seems to have had a great life. He was talented. Rich. Beautiful home in Hawaii. A lot of friends. Being gay never really got in his way all that much. He had to keep it quiet but it didn't keep him from success, or having a relationship that lasted a lot longer than most openly gay guys have. One that tracked well back into the 70s. And the dude was much younger than him and a fireman, no less. Add to that all the young Marines who liked him and apparently didn't judge him. Pretty good life actually.
I met him when I was playing bass for Jerry Reed he was doing the opening act which was comedy before we played our concert. He was so so nice there was an after-party with all the artists and musicians comedians. There was so much talent in that room it was awesome to see. Seeing this video reminded me of how kind and gracious he was. My girlfriend at the the time loved a necklace he was wearing and she told him he took it off and gave it to her it was so sweet and meant so much to her I'm actually tearing up now thinking about it because unfortunately she is passed away that necklace went with her. She always cherished it. I'm sure they have met up in heaven.
In terms of not talking about issues like Vietnam in Gomer Pyle, I heard Nabors say on a show, that most of the young fellows that acted as extras in the program were real-deal Marines, and many of them were the first to go over there. He added, sadly, a lot of them did not come back. I grew up watching the show, and being from a small town, I understood the humor of the character and enjoyed how Gomer would send up his tough as nails Sgt. all the time! I knew nothing about Nabors being gay until well after the rumors with Hudson had passed. It didn't matter; when you're assumed to be gay because you are different, it's no fun. Nabors showed incredible dignity and never took himself too seriously. To me, he was funny, a great singer, and a very decent man. I would love to have met him.
Singing & music in general in the Deep South was pretty common, when Jim Nabors was growing up, so perhaps it wasn't as easy to be a standout where Jim grew up?
Thank you for this. I've always loved Jim Nabors. My very favorite performance, however, will always be Gomer getting strength from a security guard and Abraham Lincoln (my hero!) allowing him to sing Impossible Dream. I am 61 now and still cry every time. Truly inspirational in so many ways. ❤
My cousin Gerri was a dancer on The Carol Burnette Show. My family was in attendance at a show Jim Neighbors was a guest on in the early 70's. They were so affectionate before, during, and after taping. He was a very talented, nice person. How great it would have been to meet him.
I was a young kid when I saw Jim on Andy Griffith and on Gomer Pyle USMC . When I first heard him sing I nearly fell over. Wow! This was an amazing video and thank you so much.
Well done, Matt. Due to my father being a well known opera singer and stage performer in the 70s and 80s, I personally experienced what you describe about gay men being open amongst close friends, but closeted to the rest of the world. It was pretty much the M.O. of the industry. The majority of our family's male friends were gay (even with my parent being Republicans). And yes, my dad even got to sing with Gomer once. My dad loved it and we were astonished at the "dichotomy" of how that man could sing after growing up watching him in Gomer Pyle USMC. Thank you for this tribute.
As someone who has a personal connection, I can say for certain that Jim had a very positive impact on his community in Hawaii. And that impact continues today in the form of two not for profit organizations that exist on the land that used to belong to Jim: one a National Tropical Botanical Garden, and the other a community farm. To the locals he was not just Gomer Pyle, or a great singer, actor or comedian. He was a guy with a lot of money who cared about people and the land.
That's funny, when my grandmother died I took a stack of records from her that was mostly Hawaiian but there were a few Jim Nabors and Liberace albums in there too. Oddly, she also had Alice Cooper's Love It To Death, A Passion Play by Jethro Tull, some Wings album, I think it was Speed of Light, but I couldn't believe it when I found Sabbath, Bloody Sabbath.
I was born in the mid sixties and as a small child remember the adults discussing Jim's sexuality. That never stopped my entire family from watching Jim's TV shows, etc. Actually, it seems everyone new someone or had in the closet family members way back then. Anyway, Jim was a big influence in comedy, his sex life was just a part of who he was.
At age 16, I had no idea what homosexuality was. As I was walking out the door with my cousin to hit Bourbon Street (NOLA- where I grew up), my mom told us about the dangers and the sights we’d see. She mentioned gay people and I know she saw my wild bulging eyes of disbelief. I thought she was making it up! At first I saw those people as disgusting, but over the years I realized I had family members and some distant acquaintances who were gay….I didn’t hate them! I know God loves us all and He expects us to love all our brothers and sisters, so I woke up with a whole new attitude. For I believe we ARE our brothers and sisters keepers! Thank you for your lovely story!
@@lorikraus8087 Your living in a delusional fantasy God loves us all but he hates sin and clearly his words tells us that homosexuality is a sin of the flesh Look it up for yourself
My favorite tv show of all time is "Gomer Pyle",the chemistry between Nabors and Frank Sutton on that show was incredible,whenever I needed a laugh I would watch that show.Thank's for posting!
I couldn't watch Gomer Pyle cuz I couldn't stand the way Sergeant Carter treated him shouting and yelling and always being nasty to him I was too sensitive I guess
Thank you for this bio of Jim Nabors. I grew up in the 50s and 60s and Jim's sitcoms were popular at home. I remember the rumor about Rock and Jim being lovers but my gay friends believed it was a joke and we laufhed, How wonderful he had a partner all those years! And wonderful that many in showbiz liked him for being him! Rip Jim and thanks for your talent and fun..
When the 50th anniversary of the Carol Burnett Show aired I was puzzled why Jim wasn’t featured. It was a couple of days later when I found out that he had passed. I felt so sad. He was such a gentle soul.
Great job in portraying Jim Nabor’s career. I’m a totally straight guy, raised in the most conservative part of America, but I’m so happy to hear about people finally being accepted to be happy just being who they are. I wish it wasn’t so difficult I the past for people I know about during my own life, but also relieved to know stupid prejudice against people who are just not like stereotypical societal expectations is waning. I know I could have written this better, so I’ll just summarize with ‘I just wish any human can be who they truly are without judgement against them.’ And just freaking be happy as long as they aren’t hurting anybody else! Is that too much to wish for???
@@savage22bolt32 - I barely even recognize a gay couple anymore. It … just doesn’t even register too much other than realizing this person is with that person. I actually respect them for not caring how I feel.. much like how I feel about other people towards me myself. It’s…. so??? I’m feel far more distant in attitude with somebody that is so blankedly not in my line of thinking about me and my Ruger 10-22 that I keep in my ranch truck at all times to keep prairie dog populations down in my pastures. ;)
People were attracted to Jim mostly for being a genuine, honest human being. Someone anyone would want to have as a friend. The talent and his uniqueness is what got him through the door into show business. You can't help but feel good about someone like him to be successful in a career he loved and thought he never had a chance to survive in....
This was one of the very best celebrity profiles I have ever seen. Thank you so much, Matt, for putting this together. I never realized what a great life Jim Nabors lived. I feel like my life is better for having seen this video.
Jim is so loved and cherished here in Indiana that after he died, the whole state was grieving. We had a state mandate that all flags would be flown at half staff in his honor. At the 2018 Indianapolis 500, they just played a melody of him singing "Back Home Again in Indiana" (our state song) instead of having someone else sing it. For a gay man to be THAT treasured in a state that has a law that states that you can refuse service to someone based on their sexuality, is truly amazing. RIP JIM!💜😭
"...For a gay man to be THAT treasured..." Sure... now if people would actually ACKNOWLEDGE that he was gay instead of pulling the old "I'm SURE he just hadn't met the right WOMAN!"
@@reginaldbowls7180 You're just a nutty far left liberal. I don't agree with the gay lifestyle but I sure as hell don't agree with denying someone service or a place to live just because they're gay. I can't believe they would have a law like that in this day and age. Actually I can't see denying someone service in any age. You can disagree with their lifestyle but that's going way too far. You can just ignore something you don't agree with and leave it at that. I love Jim. I didn't know he was gay.
@@sammyandoliver7522 But that’s exactly what’s going on and what’s been … sooooo yeah, you’re LOUD & WRONG! So I’d delete that comment! Because that law is alive and well & being upheld! In 2021!!!!!!
My goodness I'd forgotten how much I loved Gomer Pyle-USMC when I was a kid. It was in re-runs by then but I remember watching it. I'm so glad it was finally safe enough and he was finally comfortable enough to come out.
I had only ever really known him as Gomer Pyle until just last year when I realized he sang my favorite version ever of "Go Tell It on the Mountain" (that I found on one of those $5 Christmas compilation CDs Walmart used to sell in a bin.) What an amazing voice!
I don't care who Jim chose to love, all I have are wonderful memories of this man and the wholesome goodness he makes me feel in my heart. Thanks, Matt for this piece. I shed a lot of tears watching it. He was a rare one and people like Jim Nabors aren't made anymore.
Only really knew him as Gomer Pyle but what a voice! I was really curious if his accent was fake or not! He was a hit in Mayberry on Andy Griffin’s Show & Gomer Pyle -USMC. Never knew he was gay! GB his wonderful friends.
No offense to you, and I'm sure your comment comes from a good place, but I don't like when people say "I don't care what/who they are, they are still great." It's like you're trying to divorce a key part of his identity--his sexuality--from your memory of him. His sexuality is key to his truth, a truth that forced him into the closet for years due to a deeply homophobic industry. I mean, you should at least care that he, as a gay man, finally found love and acceptance in spite of his deeply personal struggles. I would say to lessen your discomfort with his sexuality and accept who he is, fully: a talented, beloved gay actor who was able to finally marry his long-time partner after years of secrecy.
I lost track of Jim Nabors in 69. I spent 69 and 70 deployed in the Middle East, then to the 6th fleet. By the time I got back to the world in 74, he and that era were a distant memory. I’m very familiar with the times, albeit with a different perspective. Glad to hear that it all ended well enough for him. I appreciate these snippets from my lost years.
Thank you for this lovely portrait of a family favorite entertainer. We always loved watching him. It's worth pointing out that Nabors was as good a friend as friends were to him: when he started his variety show, one of the things he made sure of was that his valued and very funny foil on his sitcom, Frank Sutton, had regular employment on the variety show. He was generous and kind as well as talented. A complete package.
He was a good guy. And "good" is measured in terms of character, not one's sexuality. I'm glad he had a chance before he passed, to be true to himself and open to the world about his love and lifestyle, and be well-received by a then more tolerant society. Thank you Jim for being a warm and kind soul, sharing with us your talent as an actor/singer, and being a true inspiration to all with your life story. Also, for all the laughs... then and still now!
Would love to go back to yesteryear when no one cared about entertainer's sexuality. We just knew they were great actors/actresses/comedians...didn't give a thought or a care to their sexual orientation because it was their personal life & none of our business.
@@luciasmith4096 i'm not from that genwration but I agree 100%. Nowadays people want everybody to know that they like to poke other men in thw backside. They seem like they want a pat on the back for it. We don't care what you do behind close doors or what your sexuality is. More power to you. In all seriousness though, it did seem a lot better imo.
@@jessicaelliott4328 I grew up in the 70-80s so I'm like what happened?! Ppl weren't so easily offended, more easy going, respectful, less angry, I love that I grew up never hearing the word racist or haters. I feel exactly like you do...I don't know what you do in your privacy I DEFINITELY don't want to hear about it. Sexuality does not define a person.
@@luciasmith4096 are u kidding? i lived in that era...u were looked down at even for a divorce.....it truly was the good ole days....unlike the forced permissiveness of today!!!!
Thank you for doing such an in depth look at Jim nabors life and career, he doesn’t get nearly enough appreciation. His work has added a ton of joy and laughter to my life
I met Jim Nabors at a dry cleaning company that I was working at and asked him about how he liked Hawaii so much and he said that it was wonderful and very beautiful and he loves it here
As a lifelong Hoosier, I can safely say that Jim Nabors was, and still is, loved dearly by the people of Indiana. His coming out and subsequent openness about his sexuality, at least in my experience, never seemed to affect his reputation, even in a very religious, red state. I have always been enamored by Jim's amazing life story, personality, and his rendition(s) of Back Home Again in Indiana, which are, at least in my opinion, the are the only legitimate versions. I was beyond devastated when I learned of his passing and he will be greatly missed. RIP Jim, your legacy is as big as your heart, beautiful as your voice, and as powerful as your performances.
I am glad that some people in Indiana who are against homosexuality were willing to make an exception for Jim. That is positive. What would be even better is if that prompted them to examine whether anti-gay laws might be hurting other wonderful people and should be overturned.
@@JaniceinOR No doubt. I was appalled by the hurdles in Indiana that were put in the way of our LGBTQ+ brothers sisters by the intolerant. I will always say that most of, if not all the people with hate towards people different with different sexualities do not have anyone they are close to and love dearly is is out and open. It's easy to judge those you have no connection to, but it is hard to harbor those beliefs when it's someone you hold dear.
It's crazy because Indiana today is they most homophobic state in the US. my friend is from a town outside Indianapolis and he experienced so much bullying and physical assault because of his flamboyant personality. People felt threatened by that over there very messed up.
I live in Indpls and the Indianapolis 500 and Jim was just a given. Even us young crazies in the snake pit stood quietly to hear him sing. It’s never been the same since
If you come back to this site, Ms. Wheeler, I grew up close to 30th Street and Lafayette Road. I was married in the little Baptist church that sits at the edge of the "North 40 Field" entrance to the Speedway grounds on 30th Street. Indy was a "neon cornfield" then.
This is a wonderful account of an even more wonderful man. I vividly remember (since I live in Indiana) when he sang our state song at the Indy 500 for the very 1st time. I couldn't believe that voice came out of 'Gomer's' mouth! He was such a talented yet humble man!
Wow!!!! Who didn’t love Jim Nabors!!! I mean honestly he was the epitome of a beautiful beautiful loving soul ♥️✨♥️✨♥️⭕️⭕️⭕️ Great Video Tribute!!!! You just know the VIBE AND BIG LOVE ENERGY ‼️✨♥️💜🥂Thank you so very much!!! ✨🥂🔥💜
As a straight male born in the 1960s I remember when the LGBTQ community was treated as a joke. How matter-of-factly we used to make jokes about people we suspected of being gay. As I've matured and grown, I cringe at my past attitudes and ignorance. I could always openly date whomever I was with at the time. I LOVE watching these stories that often deal with shows or actors I enjoyed growing up. I often find my eyes leaking by the end of your videos over the fact that an entire group of society was not able to openly expres love. That they had to hide who they were. Thank you for great content!!!
@@PaoloNYC and it's not even like I was anti-gay; we just laughed at the concept because it was an easy target. I never thought of it in terms of GENERATIONS of humans having to hide their love. Shame on me. 😥
@@phillipkopp5809 I would not say shame on you. It was the way things were at the time. Good on you for recognizing it and being open and willing to change your views. I applaud you and appreciate you for that. Change is a process for all of us. Being gay is still not always easy, but it’s definitely so much better today.
I'm so glad we have people out here like Matt showing our history like this. I had no idea about any of this! Also, good for her, bagging a handsome firefighter.
A hell of an actor with an angelic voice and a gentle, southern disposition. Thank you for the great in-depth look of Jim Nabors life. Very well done!!!
I knew Jim for several years. He was and Stan is/are the most authentic and exceptional human beings, great neighbors and people of the highest integrity, honor and I was blessed to know them both and to be able to call them my friends.
That’s why Jim was so generous! My Aunt was his favorite girl when he came to town four times a year and one day she took us to see him and just nothing but sugar. God had a job for Jim and he did it very well and Jim loved the military guys. My husband and friends waited for him outside the back door of a club in Hawaii and he was very good to them. Jim never let on to us when we met him but it doesn’t change anything for me. He’s still a good hearted loving man.
Sexuality in humans is complex. Sex,gender, chromosomes and external genitalia just don’t match for some people. That’s nature! The Bible is full of ignorant nonsense about nature!
I grew up in Beverly Hills in the 1960s and 1970s. Frank Sutton's wife was on local PTA with my mother, and we frequently got tickets to the Jim Nabors show. I met him briefly once, and he was very nice. It was an open secret that Jim Nabors and Rock Hudson were "together." We didn't think much of it - it was different, but not really shameful. Thanks for sharing his backstory. I never knew all this.
The fact that he was "so southern" that the industry didn't know "what to do with him" is crazy. Especially being that a staggering amount of Northerns migrated from the South
I always adored Jim Nabors. His voice, his humour, his comedy. They were always the best and he accepted everybody just the way they were. I had the biggest crush on him growing up. Thanks Matt, for doing this video on him. Also, the shirtless denim overalls look? Adorable! :)
As a child born in 1961 all those shows, Gomer Pyle, Andy Griffith, Petticoat Junction, Green Acres were some of my favorites. I mean for a kid growing up in N. J. it was like visiting another country 😂. Also my favorite uncle was gay, although at the time I didn't know it. It just all combined what my life was really all about and about accepting people for who they are and how they treat others. When my son told me he was gay I just hugged him and said "I will always love you no matter what, for you are the sweetest man I have ever known". I guess life does prepare us accordingly ❤☮
@@delibakerytravel So sad I'm very sorry for this. I have a gay cousin who passed away and his mother, my aunt through marriage, would not forgive him! He would beg her to try to understand. Do you know, she wouldn't even forgive him on his deathbed, as he laid pleading with her. That's is just so cold she always seemed so nice, but no that isn't a nice person, to deprive her own flesh and blood, her only child couldn't send him off to heaven with a light heart and a weight lifted off his heart. He had told me many times how nasty she'd talk to him after he came out to her. #ColdHearted 😡
My husbands childhood friend was gay and when my husband had a aortic dissection and was on life support and fighting septic shock he was only one of his friends who could take it. Septic shock isn’t pretty and hard for some people to deal with. My husband by the way lived and Jesus just walked in and healed him One day! Anyway we went to Chilis after we visited my husband and I didn’t even get sat down before my friend said…Do you think there’s a place for someone like me in Gods heaven? I said you were raised in church by a Christian mother you know the answer to that question! Nothing has changed! There’s no loop holes! You know you have to turn from your gay lifestyle. He was 65 and he had not had a boyfriend in years! So I said is it worth it to call yourself gay? Which of course he said this is way I was born! I did my job which is to love him and accept him as is but I’m not his judge! My gay friend had many political and religious discussions over twenty plus years and unlike online our gay friend respected that we were Christians and we respected his feelings as a gay man so we always loved through the discussions! People would say he’s gay you can’t be friends! I said just watch me! At the end of the day it comes down to our friendship had nothing to do with him being gay! He died last year and I hope he turned to Jesus in the end. We were away so I don’t know. I would do it again though no question. Jesus said the greatest command was that you loved each other!
Thanks for the fantastic video. Grew up just loving Jim Nabors on Andy Griffith and Gomer Pyle re runs. Just so warm he always felt like family. My grandfather would always bring up his singing voice. Nearly cried watching this. Well done
"The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice". Thank you, Matt for preparing this heartrending documentary. What a wonderful ending to this tortuous tale. Nabor's friends stood by hm, and he lived long enough to see a masive reversal of public attitidues towards LGBT+ people.
I was never a big fan of Jim Nabors, but after viewing this video, and seeing all the light sheed upon him by TV icons and the public, my admiration and respect for him rose, joyfully, to the moon. Thank you for providing such an in depth and heartwarming bio, as evidenced by the 1,820 other comments that grace this screen.
What I loved best about the Andy Griffith Show was that its version of down-home Southern hospitality is implicitly inclusive. The show and related media avoided anything that might be considered divisive (Gomer Pyle USMC apparently existed in a parallel universe where there was no Vietnam War), but everyone who was a little different or a misfit was welcome. Andy was more comfortable with gentle chastisement rather than oafish masculine swagger, and notably never carried a gun or even had a lock on the jail cell.
There was a lock on the jail cell there was even an episode where Barney got locked in by a little boy played by Clint Howard. Andy Griffith not wearing a gun on The Andy Griffith show was because he didn`t want the extra weight on his hip
It's a good example of actual small town comfort and politeness, based on millennia-old customs the world over of looking out for strangers far from home who may need shelter and support. Not the politicized, mass media "small town values" that are mere excuses for hating and persecuting anything that doesn't fit into an arbitrarily small box of behaviors. Hateful, fearful societies rarely thrive for long. Welcoming, curious, and supportive ones usually do.
@@gloriatg100 l also remember an episode where Otis was locked in a cell, and because nobody was around to let him out reached for the keys hanging next to the cell and let himself out.
He was one of my Favorite as a kid. Glad he found peace before he died. Everyone deserves happiness in their lifetime. He was Truly Amazing! May he Forever Rest In Peace
I confess when I saw the headline, I came in here to correct you on the "marriage". After watching your video, I'm very happy that I was drawn in. You did such a good job of telling Jim's story. So many details of his professional and personal journey that I had never heard. Thank you for doing this.
I never thought I would enjoy a video presented by a guy in overalls and a neckerchief, but this was great. :) Jim seems like a truly genuine person. I'm 70 years old so I grew up with that era of TV. I lost track of Nabors after Gomer Pyle because I hated variety shows. Still do :) I remember hearing the rumors in the early 70's and never gave it another thought until this video popped up. Again, great video. Peace
It was such an honour to work with him here in Hawai’i was called Jim Nabors Polynesian review I was one of his original backup singer I love singing with him he was such a humble man and he came to my High school graduation having his assistant delivering my gift while he’s waiting in his convertible car beautiful memories and I always will cherish rest in peace brother 🙏❤️🙏
I was staring at the woman, and then realized it was Rob (like made connections to his other work, just blipped out on his name) like half a second before Matt said so.
I think Matt stated it that way because a long haired female was not necessarily Indicative of a " hippie " , but a long haired male was at that time !
It’s wild how my conservative mom told me about Jim Nabors queer life in kindness and compassion of his struggle being trying to be tore down for it, he really touched people’s hearts.
@@nickcancelliere5638 Then , they are "conservative", in name only. To qualify as the genuine article, one must be prepared to hold, _up_ hold , espouse; that is, *conserve* those values and principles upon which civilizations are built and sustained. To _not_ "take issue with" the mating of members of the same sex of the species or to not oppose activities or individuals that support, celebrate, seek to "normalize", sanctify, glorify and promote homosexuality is to, again, not recognize that civilized society, ultimately, relies on the forging of fully mature, adult, loving and *productive* relationships *between* the *male* and *female* for its survival regardless of how innocuous any one act or series of individual homosexual acts may seem , to fail to raise any objection whatsoever is to lend one's tacit consent to behavior that is anything but "conservative" in nature.
He had a home in North West Montana. Everyone that talked to him said he was the nicest man. I also had a co-worker that was a Jack of all trades kind of guy. He did a lot of home repair jobs. He was in Hawaii for a time and was called to a house and it was Nabor's house and he too said he was a very super sweet man.
Wow. This is one of the best celebrity biographies I have ever watched on Utube. Well researched, extremely comprehensive, well-written, and very entertaining. You also have an intelligent and compassionate, heartfelt perspective that is a refreshing change from many tabloid-style biographies that focus on the gossipy, dark, lurid, or sensationalistic aspect of some celebrity's lives. Bravo!
Many who show true character and strength are then bullied by society or, as with Mr. Nabor, simply dropped from the show. You are only so good when you parry well. It is a pity that Mr. Nabor had to lead a hidden life with his partner for 38 years. He knew, when his partnership comes out, he will experience a second 1975. But Mr. Nabor was happy with his boyfriend for 38 years before they were finally allowed to marry. 38 years is a very, very long time with the same partner. Some hetro marriages do not even stay together from half of these 38 years. In the last 20 years I heard too much: "We broke up!" "We are getting divorced!" Is one happy only when married four-five times? Aren't one supposed to be happy and appreciate what one have when it's just one marriage? Mr. Nabor had character, whether his partner/ Husband or with his colleague Frank Sutton. Loyal is still not appreciated. BUT . . Loyal is the highest good a person can have.
@@harperstacey9604 Frank Sutton was a regular on his variety show and from what I remember the producers didn't like Sutton and wanted to fire him and Neighbors basically said if he goes I go. So Neighbors gave up a monthly paycheck for his friend.
Because Jim Nabors was a man. Being gay did not change that. He stood up for what he felt was right. More than can be said about straight men of today.
such a sweet tribute to a sweet, kind man. people in his life loved and cared for him throughout his long life, and that is a testament to the man himself.
Oh my god you did such an amazing job Matt! This video came up on my for you page and I am so so glad that it did. What a beautiful tribute to the life of such a wonderful actor💗
OMG, I started crying at the end. This was so well done. I grew up watching all of the shows which you mentioned and those are happy memories. Yet, it’s heartbreaking to hear of anyone needing to make the choice to modify the public narrative of who they really are to “satisfy society”. Ultimately, LOVE is all there is…
What a wonderful story, and I'm glad to know he met and found the love of his life. The way his friends stood by him shows he was a good man. Thanks for sharing this Matt.
I've always respected Carol Burnett, but her dedicated friendship, as shown, has only increased my respect for her. I had not know of his liver transplant ordeal, but everything seemed to work out because of his friends.
Great story. As a child I can remember watching Gomer Pyle as well as the Andy Griffith Show. Wow what a voice he had. Thank you. I'm glad I saw this and watched.
I love this channel so much, and I especially enjoyed this video. A lot of the shows you cover are ones that I used to watch (in reruns) with my grandparents. My grandmother was the last of them to pass, just a couple years ago, and one of my last and fondest memories with her is of staying with her for a couple weeks while my mother was away and reminiscing while we watched The Golden Girls, MASH, and The Andy Griffith Show together every day. One of the final episodes we watched together featured Gomer's singing, and my grandmother talked about how much she'd always loved Jim Nabors. I'm confident that she didn't know anything about this part of his life and I would have loved to show her this video--she was always supportive of me and my wife, and I think she really would have appreciated it. Thanks so much for everything you do!
Matt, this is the first time on your channel, won't be the last! He was a special actor to me, as a shy homely little girl! I loved your story telling, I am sure he is shining on you, for telling his story so beautifully!
This is my first time on this channel and it won't be my last either. Yes, Jim Nabors was a special actor to me also. I enjoyed the way Matt told the story around Jim Nabors' life. Most of the things I had known for years, even before Jim Nabors and his husband got married (I'm 69 so grew up watching all of the shows Jim Nabors was a part of). I came of age during his time on TV.
Makes me long for the days of growing up. Hanging out with my dad watching this hilarious guy on TV. Tearing up just a little...I'm as old as my dad was when we would watch old black and whites together. Rest in peace, Daddy. Miss you so, so much.
Jim Nabor’s home in honolulu was near where I surfed and there were many occasions when he’d be out on his daily walk around the neighborhood and he would never hesitate to stop and say hi and chat for a few minutes. He was such a nice person, just so genuine. Great job on this video.
He was cruising for a hook up.
@@johnhughes1783 troll
@@johnhughes1783 🤣
@@PeaceLoveAndHarmny Oh bs on you. He wasn't walking near the surfers for exercise. How many fat unattractive surfers do you see. And he keeps running into the same guy? People that want something are usually extra nice. I didn't say there was anything wrong with it or that Neighbors did anything inappropriate but I don't have my head in the sand either.
That's cool!!
I met Jim right after he had surgery. this would have been 1992 or 93. I was 18 and taking a friend of mine to see his dad and on the way he asked if I wanted to meet Gomer Pyle, How he knew Jim he never told me, But we knocked on the door and out walks Jim. He had a huge bandage on his chest but we still sat on the porch and talked for about two hours. He literally made cookies while this was going on and made me take a plate when we left. Its really a beautiful memory.
L
@@karenkennedy5552 please seek out help
My grandfather was a Presbyterian minister and a huge Jim Nabors fan. When he retired as a minister, my grandparents bought a home about a mile and a half from Jim’s property on Oahu. Over the years they became friends. They met and befriended Don Ho through Jim too. My grandparents were snowbirds so they were only in Hawaii in the winter making them treasure their time with their friends even more. My grandpa built schools, medical clinics and churches in central and South America and Africa as a secondary and their new friends were generous donors, without ever being asked. My grandpa knew they were gay and didn’t care, which was shocking given their church’s teachings on homosexuality. Thankfully my grandpa knew how to think for himself. He and grandma simply saw their friends as the kind, talented and generous people they were.
So, your Presbyterian minister grandfather cared more about the money he could raise from his new homosexual friends than he did about what the Bible says about homosexuals.
amen to that
I can't tell if that's a "burn them at the stake unless they're rich and famous" or "it's ok they're gay in private but we're gonna pretend they're bad in public" comment.
Bible speaks against it...
So if you condone sin..your part of that sin..
Must have not been a good preacher then believed what the Bible said
Don't come back.
I cannot add anything else but a heartfelt thank you for this tribute.
RIP Jim.
He spread his cheeks.
I did meet him by chance in Hawaii in the ‘80’s at a gas station. I had a rental car with a couple of Marine friends. We had gone on a 3 day liberty pass. He Was a really nice man and gave us autographs all 3 of us young Marines where fellow Southerns. I do remember asking a lot about our hometowns etc. What a great truly nice man who took the time to talk to us young Marines.
Thank you for your service. Do you still have the picture? Where did you grow up?
@@claudiarobinson587 No he just signed autographs. One of my buddies had a disposable cameras Brand new at the time. But haven’t seen my friend him in 39 or 40 years ago. The autograph I’m sure I lost along with other autographs I wish I taken better care of.
Blame the religion and its lies. They have their bloody fingerprint all over the societal ignorance and hate that haunted homosexuals.
@@Mabeylater293 don’t blame the religious. They follow what was written down things written down 3000+years ago. When things on earth for different from today.
@@brucemace5404 no they follow lies that found it’s way into religion and it’s “authority”.
“When you are waiting for a transplant, you can’t pray for one, because someone has to die.” I love that man. I’m already a friend of the family, but I have renewed respect him.
As a Marine in the 70's, I remember watching Gomer Pyle, USMC, everyday on the barracks tv. I even remember the build up to his first USMC show prior to being in the Corps. Every Marine watched Pyle and Sgt. Carter in those days. Even today when old reruns come on Marines still watch him. I guess when you have Chesty Puller type Marines enjoying Gomer Pyle you have created a humanness in the toughest fighting force in the world. We were young killing machines back then where little could make us even smile, Gomer made us laugh. Thank you for presenting this vignette about Jim Nabors. He was a kind and loving soul. I will take his memories to the grave !
Awesome yeah I loved that show when I was a kid and always wondered about the realism good to hear a marines take on this. Thanks God bless our marines and jim neighbors. Semper Fi 🇺🇸
So well said. I loved Gomer Pyle and still watch him every night on MeTV. Jim Nabors was a special and kind human being.
I was born in the early 60s and remember watching Gomer Pyle it seemed a little depressing to me like they were all in prison haha.
My brother joined the Marines because he got drafted into the Army. The Marines let him finish high school...We knew he would have to go to VN,,,,,but he came home ....thank God
Jim Nabors had an amazing voice! Carol Burnett always had him on every first show of the season for good luck!
I don’t think there would be a Gomer Pyle without Jim. There was a unique time, show, and actor that came together all at the right moment
And that would be okay for me because I couldn't stand that show
Jim is perfect for the part of "Gomer Pyle" Sad, we just lost " *Elizabeth MacRae* ". She played Gomer's girlfriend "Lou-Ann Poovie" She passed on
last Month, May 27th, 2024. She was 88 years old. She's now with *Jim Nabors, Frank Sutton (Sgt Carter), Roy Stewart ( Corp Boyle), Forrest Compton (Colonel Grey )*
*Allan Melvin (Sgt Hacker), Barbara Stewart (Carters Girlfriend Miss Bunny), Larry Hovis (Larry), Ted Bessel (Frankie, He was also on THAT GIRL FROM 66-71)*
They are all up in Heaven so, don't worry about these fine actors... ❤✝✝🙏🏻🌼🕊
@@garychambers5850 I remember all those people, I think you missed out if you didn’t watch, Andy Griffith, green acres, Gillian’s island, all those great shows.
He spread his cheeks.
@@user-PaulSean that’s unnecessary. Does your mom know you’re online? Take the trash out and get ready for bed.
All I can say is thank you for providing Jim Nabors life story. He was a very gifted person.
My brother was stationed at Gitmo in 1970 when Jim Nabors came via the Bob Hope show to the base. Jim and my brother became good friends for a while then. Jim Nabors organized a phone call from my brother to our home. That as a big deal back them. He also called us on his own to update us on our brother. Great guy.
You could always tell Carol and Jim had a special connection. They both seemed genuine and unaffected by their fame. Knowing that she reached out to help her friend in his time of need proves that.
They were so much alike that way, being genuine people.
Carol burnett said that Jim nabors was like a brother to her. From Ms. Harper Stacey.
Jim was there for Carol when her daughter died! They went through a lot of life things together.
You are correct about Carol. I wrote her once just to tell her how much my wife appreciated her show when she was growing up. Helped her get through some bad times. To my surprise, Carol sent back a signed 5x7 black and photo of herself.
Yes she loved him and the guy from Mash
I was stationed in Hawaii while serving in the marine band and had the honor of meeting him and performing with him. Was an incredibly sweet man with a wonderful singing voice. I’ll never forget how great a performer he was.
He spread his cheeks.
Marine corps band probably LOVED it- SWEET cheeks.
Excellent and heartwarming, Matt. I live in Hawaii and Jim was loved by the community. Fun fact: he had a macadamia nut farm for many years that he jokingly called “Gomer’s Nuts”.
I actually Loled at this...
This made me smile. Thank you.
ROTFLMAO! THAT is hysterical! Gotta remember that one - Gomer’s Nuts!
too funneh! :)
@@garyturner5204 Interestingly enough, it could be misinterpreted as "Gomer is nuts", or perhaps "Gomer's testicles".
I had the joy of having Mr Nabors on several of my flights to HNL. This was a nine hour flight where I got to spend time with this gentleman. He was the most kind, gentle soul, graceful, respectful individual I ever met. We truly lost a wonderful human being.
It came through in everything about him. I was a kid, but I always loved him.
It really makes me respect Andy Griffith even more to hear this. I had watched him honor old black blues singers and help Don Knotts recover from alcoholism, but supporting the work & life of a gay man (especially in the south) at the time of the Andy Griffith Show was very kind-hearted & courageous!
He spread his cheeks.
It’s a very repulsive lifestyle choice. Nasty, filthy, disgusting and gross.
I met Jim when I was 11 at the LAX in 1975. I already luved the guy from TV and when I saw him coming up the escalator I was overjoyed, walked right up to him, offered my hand and he looked at me as if I was a long lost friend and we shook hands. He was am awesome man. You could just feel his niceness emanating from him. Thanks for this!! ❤️
I waved hello and said to Mr. Nabors, "Hello. I used to watch your show. I liked it more than Flip Wilson's show." As I recall, they were competitors. He grinned and said "Thank yeeeww." This was at one of those big hotels in Reno, Nevada. Coincidentally, I was going on a down escalator; he was going up. I had just seen Vicki Carr's show. Jim was going to open soon. He was carrying his own suitcase.
I Loved Jim Neighbors!!! ❤❤❤
I Loved Gomer Pyle!!!❤❤❤
I still watch him!❤❤❤
I enjoyed his talent, he had a fantastic opera style voice a very good dynamic singer and a very good actor, his personal life was his business that's not what I focused on, I focused on his talent and his personality and the attitude of the man which was very nice and down to earth add to that his talent which made him more enjoyable, I enjoyed the Andy Griffith show and his Gomer Pyle USMC show and the character he portrayed, many good times and great memories.
@@SantinoWilliams3321 Nertz! (That's Old People for "baloney.") I always get a chuckle when I see on these boards some version of "it's none of my business" or
"It's their own business." It really means "I'm willing to overlook or forgive what they do privately." But NOBODY ever writes that about straight men and women dating, marrying, or just having random sex. Then one doesn't have to look the other way. That's perfectly okay, move along... there's nothing to forgive. Religious nincompoops and social conservatives never have the self-awareness to know they're haters. They always think they're fair, even progressive, because they tolerate unpopular groups and don't want to kill them. They think people with the "wrong" sexuality can co-exist, even be successful and popular, if they don't "flaunt" it or "rub our faces in it" or other euphemisms for not hiding. Did I mention Nertz?
@@akrenwinkle Well look at it this way, it's really the same thing considering there are alot of stars/ celebrities that you know absolutely nothing about and people still go to shows buy their merchandise etc and they may do in and everything it's just not been uncovered so really people are going on what they see not their private life but appreciating the talent the singing or the acting or the comedic side whatever until they know otherwise and many times if people do by chance find something out I doubt very seriously they throw away the records they bought or stop watching reruns of a really good movie they love that that person made, it comes down to this, the problem people have is that they're always trying to control other people or stay in other people business and not taking care of their own up to par, people like to gossip and be judgemental and appoint themselves holier than thou yet they complain about the Karens too?? The world would be a bit better if people stayed in their lanes and concentrate on their own problems and lives and work them out and let others do the same as long as it's not effecting you them me or anyone else, whatever Jim Nabors was or did is God's business not man's which he says plainly do not judge I am the only judge because I am the only one worthy to judge, I do believe crime and criminal behavior is on the flip side of that however where I feel it's people's right to know who criminals are and what they do for the safety of people and society overall, when I watched his show noone knew all this so now many many years later when people find this out what are people supposed to do pretend they didn't like the show and start bashing a dead man???😳 Or talk about the what they did know about him HIS TALENT which again is what made him popular and appealing soooo noone is looking the other way as you say that's just your interpretation of the situation but in reality perhaps people aren't looking to condemn everyone because they already know no people are perfect and the man is dead there is nothing to look the other way about.
What a great story, I actually met Jim Nabors when I was seven or eight, my brother and I had been taught that the people "in" the TV weren't real, imagine our "surprise, surprise" while out on Halloween night when we walked up to a porch and Gomer Pyle was sitting there handing out candy, he said that famous "GOLLAY!" but we were frozen in our steps because we knew he wasn't real, our Granny told us that he was home visiting his Mother and we did eventually go up to the porch, he let us touch him on the arm to show us that he was real, he talked very gently to us and put us at ease, we always remembered how kind he was and I am so glad that he was able to finally marry the love of his life...take care
Lucky for he liked men and not little girls
@@mr.delightful7253 Yikes! What a maroon 🙄
Thats a wonderful memory
I was a fan but I had no idea he lived that long he certainly disappeared from TV for a lonnnnng time I loved that guy
@@mr.delightful7253 You're deliberately making false equivalency. Pedophilia is a serious derangement; homosexuality is not
What a beautiful tribute to a great guy - growing up with him on all of those TV shows - here I am at 66 - with more than a few tears in my eyes. Thank you is not enough for this very special 25 minute slice of a very special life!
Me too @ Howie T....I got you by a year 😁
@@barbaraknight4203 beautiful tribute to a great guy not because there gay !
@@barbaraknight4203 ppfgg
I always liked the guy. Knew he was weird, never knew he was attracted to other males. That's REALLY weird!
He was a great person! Love the guy!
Thank you for this. I grew up on Andy Griffith and never knew Jim Nabors was gay. This video was incredibly heartwarming and I'm so glad that he got his happily ever after despite everything he went through.
Thanks to Andy Griffith for give Jim a chance! He will live forever, and be loved as Gomer
Stupid Andy
My grandfathers cousin was Andy Griffith and I’m grateful this beautiful story is interwoven with my families. What a beautiful man just trying to share such a beautiful gift with the world, only to have hoards of scared humans potentially turn on him because of the choice of whom he spends his life with. Beautiful man, beautiful story, beautiful ending ♥️….plus Carol!!!!!!
So are you kin to Andy Griffith 🤔? I'm confused
@@Amber12332 Your grandfather’s 1st cousin would be your 1st cousin 2x removed, still close relation
He went to school with my Mom and Aunt. My Aunt said he would hang out with the cheerleaders and was always so nice. He would also sing at school and events. He really was very talented.
Oh, wow! Are you from the same small Alabama town?
@@JPMJPM Pretty sure that's what they were just saying...??
@@Justanotherfuckingobserver She said her mom and aunt are from the same town, but she didn’t say she was.
@@JPMJPM My Mom and Aunt grew up in same town. My Aunt knew Nabors.
@@girlfridayfinds9359 Thanks.
That was the MOST comprehensive coverage of his life I've ever watched. Thank you for taking the time to put this all together.
Mr. Nabors had an extraordinary life. He's one of the celebrities who is always described as kind and relatable. I suspect the dire circumstances of his early life and his earlier failures to break into the industry gave him a strong appreciation for the life he was so lucky to have. Rest In Peace.
He was a lovely man. I just adored him.
He was so lovable both as Gomer Pyle and Jim Nabors. I really enjoyed everything I could see him in. RIP, Jim, you were so loved.
He spread his cheeks.
Fun bit: I had the pleasure of meeting him in the early 2000s. I was sitting on a secluded beach in a remote part of Maui Hawaii which I frequented for many years when he and a couple walked up and said hello. We enjoyed a conversation and he invited me to come by his place for dinner, He had a nice fruit farm estate there. I remember his warm hospitality and the steaks we had for dinner! Kept in touch with the couple as they were in architecture and design as I am and saw him a few more times at the beach before he passed away
Thank you for this post. Nabors was a solid performer, a stand-up citizen, and a national treasure. May God rest his soul.
Being gay is blasphemy against God. Unfortunately, I'm sad to say, God IS NOT blessing his soul.
He spread his cheeks.
When I was stationed at Kaneohe Bay Marine Corp Air Station, back in 83-87. I was hired and a few other Marines to open door's at his home in Honolulu, during a large party he was throwing. He made sure all Marines were allowed to eat the catered meal that was provided at his party. I met and talked to many famous celebrates there. Jim even had the caterer make us Marines a meal to go, when we left his party. He sang played the piano. Extremely talented man. When I had the opportunity to talk to him, he gave me his undivided attention. He had said he had much respect for our military and how the Marines were in there dress blues. We wore our blues at his party. He was professional and respectable at all times.
Seems to have had a great life. He was talented. Rich. Beautiful home in Hawaii. A lot of friends. Being gay never really got in his way all that much. He had to keep it quiet but it didn't keep him from success, or having a relationship that lasted a lot longer than most openly gay guys have. One that tracked well back into the 70s. And the dude was much younger than him and a fireman, no less. Add to that all the young Marines who liked him and apparently didn't judge him. Pretty good life actually.
I met him when I was playing bass for Jerry Reed he was doing the opening act which was comedy before we played our concert. He was so so nice there was an after-party with all the artists and musicians comedians. There was so much talent in that room it was awesome to see. Seeing this video reminded me of how kind and gracious he was. My girlfriend at the the time loved a necklace he was wearing and she told him he took it off and gave it to her it was so sweet and meant so much to her I'm actually tearing up now thinking about it because unfortunately she is passed away that necklace went with her. She always cherished it. I'm sure they have met up in heaven.
Oh wow, what a lovely memory -- he brought so much joy to people with his work, it's nice to hear he was kind in person too.
You played with Jerry Reed? As a Bassist I am beyond envious. I hope you enjoyed the experience.
In terms of not talking about issues like Vietnam in Gomer Pyle, I heard Nabors say on a show, that most of the young fellows that acted as extras in the program were real-deal Marines, and many of them were the first to go over there. He added, sadly, a lot of them did not come back. I grew up watching the show, and being from a small town, I understood the humor of the character and enjoyed how Gomer would send up his tough as nails Sgt. all the time! I knew nothing about Nabors being gay until well after the rumors with Hudson had passed. It didn't matter; when you're assumed to be gay because you are different, it's no fun. Nabors showed incredible dignity and never took himself too seriously. To me, he was funny, a great singer, and a very decent man. I would love to have met him.
Why did his mother think he couldn't sing? He sure as heck COULD!
"Thank you Jim! We love you, we'll miss ya, and we'll never forget ya!"
💔 Rip
Singing & music in general in the Deep South was pretty common, when Jim Nabors was growing up, so perhaps it wasn't as easy to be a standout where Jim grew up?
Thank you for this. I've always loved Jim Nabors. My very favorite performance, however, will always be Gomer getting strength from a security guard and Abraham Lincoln (my hero!) allowing him to sing Impossible Dream. I am 61 now and still cry every time. Truly inspirational in so many ways. ❤
My cousin Gerri was a dancer on The Carol Burnette Show. My family was in attendance at a show Jim Neighbors was a guest on in the early 70's. They were so affectionate before, during, and after taping. He was a very talented, nice person. How great it would have been to meet him.
I was a young kid when I saw Jim on Andy Griffith and on Gomer Pyle USMC . When I first heard him sing I nearly fell over. Wow! This was an amazing video and thank you so much.
Well done, Matt. Due to my father being a well known opera singer and stage performer in the 70s and 80s, I personally experienced what you describe about gay men being open amongst close friends, but closeted to the rest of the world. It was pretty much the M.O. of the industry. The majority of our family's male friends were gay (even with my parent being Republicans). And yes, my dad even got to sing with Gomer once. My dad loved it and we were astonished at the "dichotomy" of how that man could sing after growing up watching him in Gomer Pyle USMC. Thank you for this tribute.
RIGHT is RIGHT.
@@larrywakeman4371 you can hope and ...um pray 🤔
As someone who has a personal connection, I can say for certain that Jim had a very positive impact on his community in Hawaii. And that impact continues today in the form of two not for profit organizations that exist on the land that used to belong to Jim: one a National Tropical Botanical Garden, and the other a community farm. To the locals he was not just Gomer Pyle, or a great singer, actor or comedian. He was a guy with a lot of money who cared about people and the land.
I was always fan cause Jim seemed a heck of a nice guy which in my young mind appeared difficult to fake.
I remember his singing as a child !!!! What a Voice !!
Carol Burnette adored him & always praises who he was... He had an amazing ❤
That's funny, when my grandmother died I took a stack of records from her that was mostly Hawaiian but there were a few Jim Nabors and Liberace albums in there too. Oddly, she also had Alice Cooper's Love It To Death, A Passion Play by Jethro Tull, some Wings album, I think it was Speed of Light, but I couldn't believe it when I found Sabbath, Bloody Sabbath.
@@SteveWeiserOnRUclips That must have been a shocker.
I was born in the mid sixties and as a small child remember the adults discussing Jim's sexuality. That never stopped my entire family from watching Jim's TV shows, etc.
Actually, it seems everyone new someone or had in the closet family members way back then.
Anyway, Jim was a big influence in comedy, his sex life was just a part of who he was.
Yes, and comedian Moms Mabley, Liberace, and singers like Johnny Mathis.
At age 16, I had no idea what homosexuality was. As I was walking out the door with my cousin to hit Bourbon Street (NOLA- where I grew up), my mom told us about the dangers and the sights we’d see. She mentioned gay people and I know she saw my wild bulging eyes of disbelief. I thought she was making it up! At first I saw those people as disgusting, but over the years I realized I had family members and some distant acquaintances who were gay….I didn’t hate them! I know God loves us all and He expects us to love all our brothers and sisters, so I woke up with a whole new attitude. For I believe we ARE our brothers and sisters keepers! Thank you for your lovely story!
I totally agree ❤😁
@@lorikraus8087
Your living in a delusional fantasy
God loves us all but he hates sin and clearly his words tells us that homosexuality is a sin of the flesh
Look it up for yourself
We had his Christmas album when I was a kid. His voice always makes me think of Christmas, even now.
wonderful voice
Me too !
My favorite tv show of all time is "Gomer Pyle",the chemistry between Nabors and Frank Sutton on that show was incredible,whenever I needed a laugh I would watch that show.Thank's for posting!
I couldn't watch Gomer Pyle cuz I couldn't stand the way Sergeant Carter treated him shouting and yelling and always being nasty to him I was too sensitive I guess
Thank you for this bio of Jim Nabors. I grew up in the 50s and 60s and Jim's sitcoms were popular at home. I remember the rumor about Rock and Jim being lovers but my gay friends believed it was a joke and we laufhed, How wonderful he had a partner all those years! And wonderful that many in showbiz liked him for being him! Rip Jim and thanks for your talent and fun..
When the 50th anniversary of the Carol Burnett Show aired I was puzzled why Jim wasn’t featured. It was a couple of days later when I found out that he had passed. I felt so sad. He was such a gentle soul.
I like that Jim Nabors was as sweet in real life as he portrayed on TV. Great Video!
I've heard stories of people moving out west to breathe better...today we have sprays
I've heard stories of people moving out west to breathe better...
@@RadioRich100 that ain't a pretty picture. Too much information
@@RadioRich100 was your remark really that necessary? Shame on you!
Great job in portraying Jim Nabor’s career. I’m a totally straight guy, raised in the most conservative part of America, but I’m so happy to hear about people finally being accepted to be happy just being who they are. I wish it wasn’t so difficult I the past for people I know about during my own life, but also relieved to know stupid prejudice against people who are just not like stereotypical societal expectations is waning.
I know I could have written this better, so I’ll just summarize with ‘I just wish any human can be who they truly are without judgement against them.’ And just freaking be happy as long as they aren’t hurting anybody else! Is that too much to wish for???
Gay folks don't bother me, but woke folks are trying to dismantle this country. What's next?
@@savage22bolt32 - I barely even recognize a gay couple anymore. It … just doesn’t even register too much other than realizing this person is with that person. I actually respect them for not caring how I feel.. much like how I feel about other people towards me myself. It’s…. so???
I’m feel far more distant in attitude with somebody that is so blankedly not in my line of thinking about me and my Ruger 10-22 that I keep in my ranch truck at all times to keep prairie dog populations down in my pastures. ;)
People were attracted to Jim mostly for being a genuine, honest human being. Someone anyone would want to have as a friend. The talent and his uniqueness is what got him through the door into show business. You can't help but feel good about someone like him to be successful in a career he loved and thought he never had a chance to survive in....
Thank you for doing this. I didnt know that Jim lived till 87. God bless him. He brought a LOT of happiness to my community growing up!!!
I don't think that will happen.
This was one of the very best celebrity profiles I have ever seen. Thank you so much, Matt, for putting this together. I never realized what a great life Jim Nabors lived. I feel like my life is better for having seen this video.
Jim is so loved and cherished here in Indiana that after he died, the whole state was grieving. We had a state mandate that all flags would be flown at half staff in his honor. At the 2018 Indianapolis 500, they just played a melody of him singing "Back Home Again in Indiana" (our state song) instead of having someone else sing it. For a gay man to be THAT treasured in a state that has a law that states that you can refuse service to someone based on their sexuality, is truly amazing.
RIP JIM!💜😭
"...For a gay man to be THAT treasured..." Sure... now if people would actually ACKNOWLEDGE that he was gay instead of pulling the old "I'm SURE he just hadn't met the right WOMAN!"
Indiana is basically NA*I germany. the people there are responsible for their laws. They should be all cancelled.
@@reginaldbowls7180 You're just a nutty far left liberal. I don't agree with the gay lifestyle but I sure as hell don't agree with denying someone service or a place to live just because they're gay. I can't believe they would have a law like that in this day and age. Actually I can't see denying someone service in any age. You can disagree with their lifestyle but that's going way too far. You can just ignore something you don't agree with and leave it at that. I love Jim. I didn't know he was gay.
@@reginaldbowls7180
It's definitely not na*i germany. I live here too.
Sensationalism.
@@sammyandoliver7522 But that’s exactly what’s going on and what’s been … sooooo yeah, you’re LOUD & WRONG! So I’d delete that comment! Because that law is alive and well & being upheld! In 2021!!!!!!
My goodness I'd forgotten how much I loved Gomer Pyle-USMC when I was a kid. It was in re-runs by then but I remember watching it. I'm so glad it was finally safe enough and he was finally comfortable enough to come out.
I remember watching reruns of this and The Beverly Hillbillies on weekday mornings. Great memories.
Another good job, Matt.
Beautiful, the way Jim's friends stood by him. Beautiful, the way the public accepted his Marriage.
I had only ever really known him as Gomer Pyle until just last year when I realized he sang my favorite version ever of "Go Tell It on the Mountain" (that I found on one of those $5 Christmas compilation CDs Walmart used to sell in a bin.) What an amazing voice!
I don't care who Jim chose to love, all I have are wonderful memories of this man and the wholesome goodness he makes me feel in my heart. Thanks, Matt for this piece. I shed a lot of tears watching it. He was a rare one and people like Jim Nabors aren't made anymore.
He didn't choose, though.
Only really knew him as Gomer Pyle but what a voice! I was really curious if his accent was fake or not! He was a hit in Mayberry on Andy Griffin’s Show & Gomer Pyle -USMC. Never knew he was gay! GB his wonderful friends.
No offense to you, and I'm sure your comment comes from a good place, but I don't like when people say "I don't care what/who they are, they are still great." It's like you're trying to divorce a key part of his identity--his sexuality--from your memory of him.
His sexuality is key to his truth, a truth that forced him into the closet for years due to a deeply homophobic industry. I mean, you should at least care that he, as a gay man, finally found love and acceptance in spite of his deeply personal struggles. I would say to lessen your discomfort with his sexuality and accept who he is, fully: a talented, beloved gay actor who was able to finally marry his long-time partner after years of secrecy.
Nobody chooses who they love.
You don’t choose who you love.
So glad he lived to see the world change for the better. Goes to show how nice guys in show biz have no shortage of loyal friends when times are hard.
What a darling, talented man he was. His comment about praying for an organ donor touched my heart.
AMEM
Me too and I started to cry 😢
Yes. That is precious. Beautiful soul. May his legacy of goodness last forever.
@@susanrichardson1176 l
I lost track of Jim Nabors in 69. I spent 69 and 70 deployed in the Middle East, then to the 6th fleet. By the time I got back to the world in 74, he and that era were a distant memory. I’m very familiar with the times, albeit with a different perspective. Glad to hear that it all ended well enough for him. I appreciate these snippets from my lost years.
God bless you Robert Gotschall glad you made it back🇺🇸✌️
Thank you for this lovely portrait of a family favorite entertainer. We always loved watching him. It's worth pointing out that Nabors was as good a friend as friends were to him: when he started his variety show, one of the things he made sure of was that his valued and very funny foil on his sitcom, Frank Sutton, had regular employment on the variety show. He was generous and kind as well as talented. A complete package.
Gosh he's just so NICE
This was awesome. I always enjoyed Jim Nabors, still watch Gomer Pyle. What a talented man, with a beautiful voice and soul.
He was a good guy. And "good" is measured in terms of character, not one's sexuality.
I'm glad he had a chance before he passed, to be true to himself and open to the world about his love and lifestyle, and be well-received by a then more tolerant society.
Thank you Jim for being a warm and kind soul, sharing with us your talent as an actor/singer, and being a true inspiration to all with your life story. Also, for all the laughs... then and still now!
Would love to go back to yesteryear when no one cared about entertainer's sexuality.
We just knew they were great actors/actresses/comedians...didn't give a thought or a care to their sexual orientation because it was their personal life & none of our business.
@@luciasmith4096 i'm not from that genwration but I agree 100%. Nowadays people want everybody to know that they like to poke other men in thw backside. They seem like they want a pat on the back for it. We don't care what you do behind close doors or what your sexuality is. More power to you.
In all seriousness though, it did seem a lot better imo.
@@jessicaelliott4328 I grew up in the 70-80s so I'm like what happened?!
Ppl weren't so easily offended, more easy going, respectful, less angry, I love that I grew up never hearing the word racist or haters.
I feel exactly like you do...I don't know what you do in your privacy I DEFINITELY don't want to hear about it. Sexuality does not define a person.
Hello Kim. I just wanted to say thank you for your kind words. Jim was my mother's cousin. Anyway, I just wanted to say thank you! Happy holidays....
@@luciasmith4096 are u kidding? i lived in that era...u were looked down at even for a divorce.....it truly was the good ole days....unlike the forced permissiveness of today!!!!
"The only thing worse then being talked about,is not being talked about."
OSCAR WILDE
Thank you for doing such an in depth look at Jim nabors life and career, he doesn’t get nearly enough appreciation. His work has added a ton of joy and laughter to my life
Yeah even as a kid I was really surprised that the way he could talk and the way he can sing like two entirely different people it was great
👍🏼
I met Jim Nabors at a dry cleaning company that I was working at and asked him about how he liked Hawaii so much and he said that it was wonderful and very beautiful and he loves it here
As a lifelong Hoosier, I can safely say that Jim Nabors was, and still is, loved dearly by the people of Indiana. His coming out and subsequent openness about his sexuality, at least in my experience, never seemed to affect his reputation, even in a very religious, red state. I have always been enamored by Jim's amazing life story, personality, and his rendition(s) of Back Home Again in Indiana, which are, at least in my opinion, the are the only legitimate versions. I was beyond devastated when I learned of his passing and he will be greatly missed. RIP Jim, your legacy is as big as your heart, beautiful as your voice, and as powerful as your performances.
I am glad that some people in Indiana who are against homosexuality were willing to make an exception for Jim. That is positive.
What would be even better is if that prompted them to examine whether anti-gay laws might be hurting other wonderful people and should be overturned.
@@JaniceinOR No doubt. I was appalled by the hurdles in Indiana that were put in the way of our LGBTQ+ brothers sisters by the intolerant. I will always say that most of, if not all the people with hate towards people different with different sexualities do not have anyone they are close to and love dearly is is out and open. It's easy to judge those you have no connection to, but it is hard to harbor those beliefs when it's someone you hold dear.
It's crazy because Indiana today is they most homophobic state in the US. my friend is from a town outside Indianapolis and he experienced so much bullying and physical assault because of his flamboyant personality. People felt threatened by that over there very messed up.
Just like Rob Halford of Judas Priest. Everyone knew he was gay since the 70s. Nobody gave a crap.
I live in Indpls and the Indianapolis 500 and Jim was just a given. Even us young crazies in the snake pit stood quietly to hear him sing. It’s never been the same since
If you come back to this site, Ms. Wheeler, I grew up close to 30th Street and Lafayette Road. I was married in the little Baptist church that sits at the edge of the "North 40 Field" entrance to the Speedway grounds on 30th Street. Indy was a "neon cornfield" then.
This is a wonderful account of an even more wonderful man. I vividly remember (since I live in Indiana) when he sang our state song at the Indy 500 for the very 1st time. I couldn't believe that voice came out of 'Gomer's' mouth! He was such a talented yet humble man!
It was always sort of jarring to me as a kid when he would start to sing. 😆
Wow!!!! Who didn’t love Jim Nabors!!! I mean honestly he was the epitome of a beautiful beautiful loving soul ♥️✨♥️✨♥️⭕️⭕️⭕️ Great Video Tribute!!!! You just know the VIBE AND BIG LOVE ENERGY ‼️✨♥️💜🥂Thank you so very much!!! ✨🥂🔥💜
As a straight male born in the 1960s I remember when the LGBTQ community was treated as a joke. How matter-of-factly we used to make jokes about people we suspected of being gay.
As I've matured and grown, I cringe at my past attitudes and ignorance. I could always openly date whomever I was with at the time.
I LOVE watching these stories that often deal with shows or actors I enjoyed growing up. I often find my eyes leaking by the end of your videos over the fact that an entire group of society was not able to openly expres love. That they had to hide who they were. Thank you for great content!!!
I'm the same bro. I have evolved and happy I did.
Thank you for your comment and support.It’s so great to see how people can grow and change in positive ways.
@@PaoloNYC and it's not even like I was anti-gay; we just laughed at the concept because it was an easy target. I never thought of it in terms of GENERATIONS of humans having to hide their love. Shame on me. 😥
@@phillipkopp5809 I would not say shame on you. It was the way things were at the time. Good on you for recognizing it and being open and willing to change your views. I applaud you and appreciate you for that. Change is a process for all of us. Being gay is still not always easy, but it’s definitely so much better today.
I could have easily made the very same comment.
I'm so glad we have people out here like Matt showing our history like this. I had no idea about any of this! Also, good for her, bagging a handsome firefighter.
A hell of an actor with an angelic voice and a gentle, southern disposition. Thank you for the great in-depth look of Jim Nabors life. Very well done!!!
He did have an angelic voice and he was such a gentle soul.
I knew Jim for several years. He was and Stan is/are the most authentic and exceptional human beings, great neighbors and people of the highest integrity, honor and I was blessed to know them both and to be able to call them my friends.
That’s why Jim was so generous! My Aunt was his favorite girl when he came to town four times a year and one day she took us to see him and just nothing but sugar. God had a job for Jim and he did it very well and Jim loved the military guys. My husband and friends waited for him outside the back door of a club in Hawaii and he was very good to them. Jim never let on to us when we met him but it doesn’t change anything for me. He’s still a good hearted loving man.
You must not read the Bible man does not lay down with man
@@Mike232-j2p you must read the Bible, man must not judge man!! Did you not read that part???
Sexuality in humans is complex. Sex,gender, chromosomes and external genitalia just don’t match for some people. That’s nature! The Bible is full of ignorant nonsense about nature!
@Karl Lentz It also says it's easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the gates of heaven.
@@Mike232-j2p I read the bible and no he doesn't but I still love Jim. He was a good man regardless.
I grew up in Beverly Hills in the 1960s and 1970s. Frank Sutton's wife was on local PTA with my mother, and we frequently got tickets to the Jim Nabors show. I met him briefly once, and he was very nice. It was an open secret that Jim Nabors and Rock Hudson were "together." We didn't think much of it - it was different, but not really shameful. Thanks for sharing his backstory. I never knew all this.
About Jim. The only thing I will ever see is him as a person who's talented, and spent his life entertaining the world. Thanks Jim! ❤
Absolutely what did his sexuality have to do with anything? He was beautiful and a wonderful actor. That's all that matters.
The fact that he was "so southern" that the industry didn't know "what to do with him" is crazy. Especially being that a staggering amount of Northerns migrated from the South
He was AWSOME
@@vickigraham8600 Indeed!
That man had set of pipes
Rock Pile. Ha ha. What a great job you did demonstrating Jim’s awesome talent. He really was one of a kind. Thank you.
I always adored Jim Nabors. His voice, his humour, his comedy. They were always the best and he accepted everybody just the way they were. I had the biggest crush on him growing up. Thanks Matt, for doing this video on him. Also, the shirtless denim overalls look? Adorable! :)
As a child born in 1961 all those shows, Gomer Pyle, Andy Griffith, Petticoat Junction, Green Acres were some of my favorites. I mean for a kid growing up in N. J. it was like visiting another country 😂. Also my favorite uncle was gay, although at the time I didn't know it. It just all combined what my life was really all about and about accepting people for who they are and how they treat others. When my son told me he was gay I just hugged him and said "I will always love you no matter what, for you are the sweetest man I have ever known". I guess life does prepare us accordingly ❤☮
🥰❤️ God bless ya Rose Smith
You're a wonderful Mom.
Gay, Now 63, I will go to my grave why my parents couldn't love me? Your Comment Was Beautiful.Thank You, From San Diego 🌴
@@delibakerytravel So sad I'm very sorry for this.
I have a gay cousin who passed away and his mother, my aunt through marriage, would not forgive him! He would beg her to try to understand. Do you know, she wouldn't even forgive him on his deathbed, as he laid pleading with her. That's is just so cold she always seemed so nice, but no that isn't a nice person, to deprive her own flesh and blood, her only child couldn't send him off to heaven with a light heart and a weight lifted off his heart. He had told me many times how nasty she'd talk to him after he came out to her.
#ColdHearted 😡
My husbands childhood friend was gay and when my husband had a aortic dissection and was on life support and fighting septic shock he was only one of his friends who could take it. Septic shock isn’t pretty and hard for some people to deal with. My husband by the way lived and Jesus just walked in and healed him One day! Anyway we went to Chilis after we visited my husband and I didn’t even get sat down before my friend said…Do you think there’s a place for someone like me in Gods heaven? I said you were raised in church by a Christian mother you know the answer to that question! Nothing has changed! There’s no loop holes! You know you have to turn from your gay lifestyle. He was 65 and he had not had a boyfriend in years! So I said is it worth it to call yourself gay? Which of course he said this is way I was born! I did my job which is to love him and accept him as is but I’m not his judge! My gay friend had many political and religious discussions over twenty plus years and unlike online our gay friend respected that we were Christians and we respected his feelings as a gay man so we always loved through the discussions! People would say he’s gay you can’t be friends! I said just watch me! At the end of the day it comes down to our friendship had nothing to do with him being gay! He died last year and I hope he turned to Jesus in the end. We were away so I don’t know. I would do it again though no question. Jesus said the greatest command was that you loved each other!
Thanks for the fantastic video. Grew up just loving Jim Nabors on Andy Griffith and Gomer Pyle re runs. Just so warm he always felt like family. My grandfather would always bring up his singing voice. Nearly cried watching this. Well done
"The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice". Thank you, Matt for preparing this heartrending documentary. What a wonderful ending to this tortuous tale. Nabor's friends stood by hm, and he lived long enough to see a masive reversal of public attitidues towards LGBT+ people.
It is NOBODIES business what goes on behind closed doors between two Or more people that are of age.
I was never a big fan of Jim Nabors, but after viewing this video, and seeing all the light sheed upon him by TV icons and the public, my admiration and respect for him rose, joyfully, to the moon. Thank you for providing such an in depth and heartwarming bio, as evidenced by the 1,820 other comments that grace this screen.
What I loved best about the Andy Griffith Show was that its version of down-home Southern hospitality is implicitly inclusive. The show and related media avoided anything that might be considered divisive (Gomer Pyle USMC apparently existed in a parallel universe where there was no Vietnam War), but everyone who was a little different or a misfit was welcome. Andy was more comfortable with gentle chastisement rather than oafish masculine swagger, and notably never carried a gun or even had a lock on the jail cell.
There was a lock on the jail cell there was even an episode where Barney got locked in by a little boy played by Clint Howard. Andy Griffith not wearing a gun on The Andy Griffith show was because he didn`t want the extra weight on his hip
It's a good example of actual small town comfort and politeness, based on millennia-old customs the world over of looking out for strangers far from home who may need shelter and support. Not the politicized, mass media "small town values" that are mere excuses for hating and persecuting anything that doesn't fit into an arbitrarily small box of behaviors. Hateful, fearful societies rarely thrive for long. Welcoming, curious, and supportive ones usually do.
I guessing that you didn't grow up in the south. Because real life in the south in the 60's was nothing like the show
Andy Griffith the actor was very liberal. He wept and closed down the set when Kennedy was shot.
@@gloriatg100 l also remember an episode where Otis was locked in a cell, and because nobody was around to let him out reached for the keys hanging next to the cell and let himself out.
Man he was such a talent. So funny and genuine. I’m so glad we can now appreciate the whole person not just a persona. Ty again Matt. ☺️
Sgt Carter made the show on Gomer Pyle
Well said.
Thank you so much for remembering Jim Nabors. I was just a kid when Gomer Pyle USMC and never missed an episode! So sad that he's gone.
He was one of my Favorite as a kid. Glad he found peace before he died. Everyone deserves happiness in their lifetime. He was Truly Amazing! May he Forever Rest In Peace
I confess when I saw the headline, I came in here to correct you on the "marriage". After watching your video, I'm very happy that I was drawn in. You did such a good job of telling Jim's story. So many details of his professional and personal journey that I had never heard. Thank you for doing this.
I never thought I would enjoy a video presented by a guy in overalls and a neckerchief, but this was great. :)
Jim seems like a truly genuine person. I'm 70 years old so I grew up with that era of TV. I lost track of Nabors after Gomer Pyle because I hated variety shows. Still do :) I remember hearing the rumors in the early 70's and never gave it another thought until this video popped up. Again, great video. Peace
I feel like those straps are going to chafe. 🤔
I wondered if Matt ever has been in the sun.
It was such an honour to work with him here in Hawai’i was called Jim Nabors Polynesian review I was one of his original backup singer I love singing with him he was such a humble man and he came to my High school graduation having his assistant delivering my gift while he’s waiting in his convertible car beautiful memories and I always will cherish rest in peace brother 🙏❤️🙏
I absolutely loved this episode Matt. So glad I caught it live, great work!!
Yay thanks for joining for the premiere!
“Do you recognize the hippie with the long hair?” - Matt, describing the person on screen with shorter (but not short) hair than the other 😂 😂 😂
I was staring at the woman, and then realized it was Rob (like made connections to his other work, just blipped out on his name) like half a second before Matt said so.
I think Matt stated it that way because a long haired female was not necessarily
Indicative of a " hippie " , but
a long haired male was at that time !
I know, right! I'm like....ummmm?
The hippy with the longer hair looks a lot like 99
It’s wild how my conservative mom told me about Jim Nabors queer life in kindness and compassion of his struggle being trying to be tore down for it, he really touched people’s hearts.
Well, bless her heart
@Evan Wright What, little Richard, agnes morehead and David hyde pierce are gay? Paul lynde too?
@Evan Wright I could have lived my life not knowing all these people were gay. All my favorite old shows and actors.
Wtf does conservative have to do with it
Ignorant prejudice Liberal statement
Whole family conservative
Never took issue with sexual orientation
@@nickcancelliere5638 Then , they are "conservative", in name only. To qualify as the genuine article, one must be prepared to hold, _up_ hold , espouse; that is, *conserve* those values and principles upon which civilizations are built and sustained. To _not_ "take issue with" the mating of members of the same sex of the species or to not oppose activities or individuals that support, celebrate, seek to "normalize", sanctify, glorify and promote homosexuality is to, again, not recognize that civilized society, ultimately, relies on the forging of fully mature, adult, loving and *productive* relationships *between* the *male* and *female* for its survival regardless of how innocuous any one act or series of individual homosexual acts may seem , to fail to raise any objection whatsoever is to lend one's tacit consent to behavior that is anything but "conservative" in nature.
He had a home in North West Montana. Everyone that talked to him said he was the nicest man.
I also had a co-worker that was a Jack of all trades kind of guy. He did a lot of home repair jobs. He was in Hawaii for a time and was called to a house and it was Nabor's house and he too said he was a very super sweet man.
Wow. This is one of the best celebrity biographies I have ever watched on Utube. Well researched, extremely comprehensive, well-written, and very entertaining. You also have an intelligent and compassionate, heartfelt perspective that is a refreshing change from many tabloid-style biographies that focus on the gossipy, dark, lurid, or sensationalistic aspect of some celebrity's lives. Bravo!
The way Jim Nabors stood up for his friend Frank Sutton at the cost of his own variety show was a true testament to the man's character.
Many who show true character and strength are then bullied by society or, as with Mr. Nabor, simply dropped from the show.
You are only so good when you parry well.
It is a pity that Mr. Nabor had to lead a hidden life with his partner for 38 years.
He knew, when his partnership comes out, he will experience a second 1975.
But Mr. Nabor was happy with his boyfriend for 38 years before they were finally allowed to marry.
38 years is a very, very long time with the same partner.
Some hetro marriages do not even stay together from half of these 38 years.
In the last 20 years I heard too much:
"We broke up!" "We are getting divorced!"
Is one happy only when married four-five times?
Aren't one supposed to be happy and appreciate what one have when it's just one marriage?
Mr. Nabor had character, whether his partner/ Husband or with his colleague Frank Sutton. Loyal is still not appreciated. BUT . . Loyal is the highest good a person can have.
Why did Jim nabors have to stand up for his friend Frank Sutton? From Ms. Harper Stacey.
@@harperstacey9604 Frank Sutton was a regular on his variety show and from what I remember the producers didn't like Sutton and wanted to fire him and Neighbors basically said if he goes I go. So Neighbors gave up a monthly paycheck for his friend.
@@harperstacey9604
L,
Because Jim Nabors was a man. Being gay did not change that. He stood up for what he felt was right. More than can be said about straight men of today.
such a sweet tribute to a sweet, kind man. people in his life loved and cared for him throughout his long life, and that is a testament to the man himself.
Oh my god you did such an amazing job Matt! This video came up on my for you page and I am so so glad that it did. What a beautiful tribute to the life of such a wonderful actor💗
OMG, I started crying at the end. This was so well done. I grew up watching all of the shows which you mentioned and those are happy memories. Yet, it’s heartbreaking to hear of anyone needing to make the choice to modify the public narrative of who they really are to “satisfy society”. Ultimately, LOVE is all there is…
Beautifully said.
Me too!
8
Back when LGBTQ people kept their business to themselves ...now they put drag queens on sesame st and Nickelodeon
You're doing it again with every jab and mask.
Nothing can ever make me stop loving Gomer Pyle/Jim Nabors
This is the loveliest video essay about the life of a wonderful, talented man. Thank you so much!
This was wonderful and so are YOU. Thank you for posting and have a great autumn. DA
What a wonderful story, and I'm glad to know he met and found the love of his life. The way his friends stood by him shows he was a good man. Thanks for sharing this Matt.
I've always respected Carol Burnett, but her dedicated friendship, as shown, has only increased my respect for her. I had not know of his liver transplant ordeal, but everything seemed to work out because of his friends.
Great story. As a child I can remember watching Gomer Pyle as well as the Andy Griffith Show. Wow what a voice he had. Thank you. I'm glad I saw this and watched.
I love this channel so much, and I especially enjoyed this video. A lot of the shows you cover are ones that I used to watch (in reruns) with my grandparents. My grandmother was the last of them to pass, just a couple years ago, and one of my last and fondest memories with her is of staying with her for a couple weeks while my mother was away and reminiscing while we watched The Golden Girls, MASH, and The Andy Griffith Show together every day. One of the final episodes we watched together featured Gomer's singing, and my grandmother talked about how much she'd always loved Jim Nabors. I'm confident that she didn't know anything about this part of his life and I would have loved to show her this video--she was always supportive of me and my wife, and I think she really would have appreciated it. Thanks so much for everything you do!
Matt, this is the first time on your channel, won't be the last! He was a special actor to me, as a shy homely little girl! I loved your story telling, I am sure he is shining on you, for telling his story so beautifully!
This is my first time on this channel and it won't be my last either. Yes, Jim Nabors was a special actor to me also. I enjoyed the way Matt told the story around Jim Nabors' life. Most of the things I had known for years, even before Jim Nabors and his husband got married (I'm 69 so grew up watching all of the shows Jim Nabors was a part of). I came of age during his time on TV.
well you don't shine at all when you're in Hell
Makes me long for the days of growing up. Hanging out with my dad watching this hilarious guy on TV. Tearing up just a little...I'm as old as my dad was when we would watch old black and whites together. Rest in peace, Daddy. Miss you so, so much.