The late star of Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C found fame on our screens as early the 1950s, but was he ever in the military?
Jim Nabors never actively served in the military. However, owing to his beloved portrayal of a comedic Marine throughout the sixties, he was made an honorary Marine in 2001.
Read on to learn more about Jim Nabors’ history on the big screen.
Ten-Hut!
Jim Nabors burst onto the scene as the lovable Gomer Pyle in 1964. Having already appeared in several productions, Nabors was a natural comedic talent. He was soon winning hearts as the naive gentle giant that was Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.
Born in 1930, Jim Nabors quickly became an academic and performer. He attended college at the University of Alabama and after graduating, relocated to New York City. It would be just a year later when he landed his first job in television.
When Nabors was essentially discovered, he was tasked with performing the role of Gomer Pyle on another show. This character was based on a performance Nabors was giving when he was noticed by television producer, Andy Griffith.
However, this character proved to be such a beloved hit, that an entire spin-off show was crafted just for him. This show, Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C, would run for five seasons, and would top the charts relentlessly. It cemented Jim Nabors in television history, and kick started a career that would last almost sixty years.
In the show, Nabors plays a naive, slightly simple gas station attendant, who joins the United States Marine Corps. Much to the amusement of the viewer, Pyle is always landing himself in hot water. He becomes a thorn in the side of his passionate drill sergeant, who beasts Pyle relentlessly.
Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C was a frenetic hit, storming onto television sets all across the United States. Every season featured a whopping thirty episodes, and would be re-run and repeated for decades to come on television and streaming services.
You can watch a clip from the show on YouTube. In this clip, you’ll see Gomer Pyle get berated by his drill sergeant for allegedly attempting to ruin his whole military career.
The show would be honored for many years to come. In 1987, a movie was released titled Full Metal Jacket. In this movie, an incompetant marine is nicknamed Gomer Pyle (or Private Pyle) by his drill sergeant. The show is also featured briefly in the movie Forrest Gump, yet again another film featuring marines.
Honorary Membership
The confusion as to whether Jim Nabors served in the military has arisen from his honorary membership. In 2001, he was inducted as an honorary marine to the United States Marine Corps. This was in recognition of his portrayal of a marine so many decades prior.
This induction came in the form of a fictional promotion. After thirty eight years as a ‘private’, Gomer Pyle/Jim Nabors was promoted to lance corporal. In 2007, he was promoted again, to corporal.
This is a considerably prestigious award, as in the entire history of the USMC, fewer than one hundred titles have been awarded. This is made even more impressive when we consider that the history stretches back two and a half centuries.
However, Jim Nabors wasn’t just famed for his acting acumen. He was also an incredible singer, sporting an impressive baritone voice. In a clip posted by the U.S Marines in 2017, we see Nabors singing in full Gomer Pyle garb.
This clip was also used to honor Jim Nabors, who had just passed away. After an incredible career and long-lasting legacy, Nabors died peacefully at his home in Hawaii.
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