JIM NABORS
Actor and singer Jim Nabors got his first big break in entertainment when Andy Griffith caught his nightclub act and decided that the Sylacauga, Alabama native had what it took to play the role of yokel gas station attendant Gomer Pyle on his upcoming series The Andy Griffith Show. After one year as the inept Gomer, Nabors was offered his own series named after the character. Not unlike Griffith's No Time for Sergeants, Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. featured simpleton Gomer as a private in the Marines whose naivetE always led him to success at the expense of his frustrated Sergeant.

Nabors was also an accomplished singer. He released more than 28 albums, five of which went gold and one platinum. After Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., Jim's acting career generally took a backseat to his music and his nightclub act, though he managed to appear in the Saturday morning series The Lost Saucer, and feature films The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Stroker Ace and Cannonball Run 2. In 1994, Nabors had a successful liver transplant and made a remarkable recovery. Nabors currently lives in Hana, Hawaii, where he owns a macadamia nut farm and grows flowers. He continues to record albums and perform his musical nightclub act.