  james thurston "jim" nabors (born june 12, 1930) is an american actor and singer. born and raised in sylacauga, alabama, nabors moved to southern california because of his asthma. while working at a santa monica nightclub, the horn, he was discovered by andy griffith and later joined the andy griffith show, playing gomer pyle.pbs, pioneers of television (2008)  the character proved popular, and nabors was given his own spin-off show, gomer pyle, u.s.m.c.. though best known for his portrayal of gomer pyle, nabors became a popular guest on variety shows in the 1960s and 1970s (including two specials of his own in 1969 and 1974), which showcased his rich baritone voice. he subsequently recorded numerous albums and singles, most of them containing romantic ballads. nabors is also well known for singing "back home again in indiana," prior to the start of the indianapolis 500, held annually over the memorial day weekend. except for a few absences due to health or other conflicts, nabors sang the unofficial indiana anthem every year from 1972 until his final time in 2014. ==early life and career== nabors was born to mavis and fred nabors in sylacauga, alabama, where he sang for his high school and church. he attended the university of alabama, where he began acting in skits. while at alabama he became a member of delta tau delta international fraternity.the rainbow, vol. 131, no. 13, p. 52 after graduating, he moved to new york, where he worked as a typist for the united nations;{{cite news|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,837550-1,00.html|title=success is a warm puppy|date=november 10, 1967|work=time|publisher=time inc.|page=1|acce
1930_births 20th-century_American_male_actors 20th-century_American_singers 21st-century_American_singers American_baritones American_male_comedians American_male_film_actors American_male_television_actors Gay_actors Honorary_United_States_Marines Indianapolis_500 LGBT_comedians LGBT_entertainers_from_the_United_States LGBT_musicians_from_the_United_States LGBT_people_from_Alabama LGBT_people_from_California LGBT_people_from_Hawaii LGBT_singers Living_people Male_actors_from_Alabama Male_actors_from_California Male_actors_from_Hawaii Male_actors_from_Honolulu,_Hawaii Musicians_from_Alabama Musicians_from_Honolulu,_Hawaii Organ_transplant_recipients People_from_Sylacauga,_Alabama Singers_from_California