Jim Nabors Marries His Longtime Male Partner - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 01-30-2013, 12:47 AM

Link + Video

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) -

Jim Nabors, the Hawaii resident well known for his starring role in the 1960s television sitcom "Gomer Pyle, USMC," married his longtime male partner early this month, he told Hawaii News Now Tuesday.

Nabors, 82, said he married his companion of 38 years, Stan Cadwallader, who's 64, in Seattle on Jan. 15.

Nabors declined an on-camera interview but spoke to Hawaii News Now by phone.

"I'm 82 and he's in his 60s and so we've been together for 38 years and I'm not ashamed of people knowing, it's just that it was such a personal thing, I didn't tell anybody," Nabors said. "I'm very happy that I've had a partner of 38 years and I feel very blessed. And, what can I tell you, I'm just very happy."

Nabors said he and Cadwallader traveled to Washington state, where gay marriages became legal in early December 2012. They were married at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel in Seattle.

A judge performed the marriage ceremony in the privacy of their hotel room with a couple of friends who live down the street from them near Diamond Head as witnesses, Nabors said.

Before they were married, Nabors said, "It's pretty obvious that we had no rights as a couple, yet when you've been together 38 years, I think something's got to happen there, you've got to solidify something. And at my age, it's probably the best thing to do."

Nabors said he met Cadwallader in 1975 when Cadwallader was a Honolulu fire fighter. He eventually went to work for Nabors and they began a relationship.

Nabors has no plan to get involved in the gay marriage debate.

"I'm not a debater. And everybody has their own opinion about this and actually I'm not an activist so I've never gotten involved in any of this," Nabors said.

His only involvement in a campaign happened last year, when Nabors recorded a radio spot for former Hawaii Gov. Ben Cayetano's campaign for Honolulu mayor, because he's a close friend of Cayetano and his wife Vicky.

When he worked full-time in Hollywood in the 1960s and 1970s, Nabors said he was open about his homosexuality to co-workers and friends but never acknowledged it to the media until now.

"I haven't ever made a public spectacle of it. Well, I've known since I was a child, so, come on. It's not that kind of a thing. I've never made a huge secret of it at all," Nabors said.

"This is really no big deal. My friend and I, my partner, we went through all of this 38 years ago," Nabors added. "So I mean, we made our vows and that was it. It was to each other, but nevertheless, we were a couple."

Asked if he had any advice to young gays and lesbians just beginning to deal with their sexual orientation, he said: "I really don't have any advice. I don't think I'm qualified because I just could handle it my own way. And you don't ever understand what people look down on you, or say cruel things to you about that sort of thing, but nevertheless, that's just life, and you just have to get above it."

Last May, Nabors underwent open heart surgery at Queens Medical Center.

He starred in the television show "Gomer Pyle, USMC" from 1964 to 1969, and new audiences became familiar with him in the years that followed through re-runs of the program. He also was a regular guest on the Carol Burnett Show and hosted his own variety and talk shows in the 1970s.

A singer known for his rich baritone voice, Nabors also performed in musical theater productions in Florida, Nevada and Hawaii. For ten years, he starred in the annual production of A Merry Christmas With Friends and Nabors at Hawaii Theatre in Honolulu, ending in 2006.

Nabors said he said he knew he loved Hawaii the first time he traveled to the islands in the 1960s.

"I just walked off that plane and knew this is where I wanted to be. It was the air and the friendship and the friendliness and the people, you know. I just knew, there's something inside me that told me 'Hey, you're gonna end up here,'" Nabors said. "I love this place. I love everything about it."

1960'sTVfan · 01-30-2013, 11:17 AM

This is no surprise, Nabors was rumored to be gay back in the 60's when he was the star on Gomer Pyle.

Zoneboy · 01-30-2013, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retroTVfan4ever

This is no surprise, Nabors was rumored to be gay back in the 60's when he was the star on Gomer Pyle.

Nobody said it was a surprise, it's something we've all known for years although until now there was never any proof other than rumors. The marriage itself was the primary basis of the article, not to let everyone know he really is gay.

1960'sTVfan · 01-30-2013, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoneboy

Nobody said it was a surprise, it's something we've all known for years although until now there was never any proof other than rumors. The marriage itself was the primary basis of the article, not to let everyone know he really is gay.

I fully understand why you posted the article, I was just saying the news isn't a surprise because it's no secret that Nabors is gay. Since there are now states that will perform gay marriages, he might as well get married if he's had the same partner for 38 years. Slim chance for divorce I would say.

OH Nuts! · 01-31-2013, 01:54 AM

I'm happy for him and his partner. 38 years of love and devotion is a marriage to me, and I'm glad they had the opportunity to obtain legal recognition

More power to 'em!

gilligan fanatic · 01-31-2013, 11:21 AM

38 years, wow!

AB · 01-31-2013, 06:01 PM

Best wishes to him & his partner.

70s show watcher · 02-04-2013, 06:15 AM

congrats to both of them

Hula · 02-04-2013, 04:06 PM

Congrats to them both!!

Schmoopie · 02-05-2013, 02:43 AM

That's wonderful! It's a shame that they had to wait so long to get married but I hope they have a wonderful life!

shotzette · 02-06-2013, 08:09 PM

Mazeltov, Gomer!

Chocolate Moose · 10-10-2017, 01:46 PM

Oh ... I did not know that! I guess I'm late to the party. Literally.

TMC · 06-01-2022, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1960'sTVfan

This is no surprise, Nabors was rumored to be gay back in the 60's when he was the star on Gomer Pyle.

Quote:

Over his 55-year career, Jim Nabors cultivated a wholesome, folksy persona, from playing Gomer Pyle on multiple sitcoms to appearing as himself on variety shows to singing every year at the start of the Indianapolis 500. But behind the scenes, Jim Nabors harbored a secret that would have scandalized the country and ruined his career if it was ever found out — and in fact, it nearly did when rumors spread about his relationship with another closeted actor.

SarahBellum · 06-10-2022, 01:38 PM

I recently heard that Roy Stuart (Corporal Boyle) was gay, as was Jack Larson who appeared in one episode prior to Roy joining the series. I'm not sure if they were recruited/suggested by Jim Nabors or if it was just a co-incidence.

01-30-2013, 12:47 AM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,338	Jim Nabors Marries His Longtime Male Partner Link + Video HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Jim Nabors, the Hawaii resident well known for his starring role in the 1960s television sitcom "Gomer Pyle, USMC," married his longtime male partner early this month, he told Hawaii News Now Tuesday. Nabors, 82, said he married his companion of 38 years, Stan Cadwallader, who's 64, in Seattle on Jan. 15. Nabors declined an on-camera interview but spoke to Hawaii News Now by phone. "I'm 82 and he's in his 60s and so we've been together for 38 years and I'm not ashamed of people knowing, it's just that it was such a personal thing, I didn't tell anybody," Nabors said. "I'm very happy that I've had a partner of 38 years and I feel very blessed. And, what can I tell you, I'm just very happy." Nabors said he and Cadwallader traveled to Washington state, where gay marriages became legal in early December 2012. They were married at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel in Seattle. A judge performed the marriage ceremony in the privacy of their hotel room with a couple of friends who live down the street from them near Diamond Head as witnesses, Nabors said. Before they were married, Nabors said, "It's pretty obvious that we had no rights as a couple, yet when you've been together 38 years, I think something's got to happen there, you've got to solidify something. And at my age, it's probably the best thing to do." Nabors said he met Cadwallader in 1975 when Cadwallader was a Honolulu fire fighter. He eventually went to work for Nabors and they began a relationship. Nabors has no plan to get involved in the gay marriage debate. "I'm not a debater. And everybody has their own opinion about this and actually I'm not an activist so I've never gotten involved in any of this," Nabors said. His only involvement in a campaign happened last year, when Nabors recorded a radio spot for former Hawaii Gov. Ben Cayetano's campaign for Honolulu mayor, because he's a close friend of Cayetano and his wife Vicky. When he worked full-time in Hollywood in the 1960s and 1970s, Nabors said he was open about his homosexuality to co-workers and friends but never acknowledged it to the media until now. "I haven't ever made a public spectacle of it. Well, I've known since I was a child, so, come on. It's not that kind of a thing. I've never made a huge secret of it at all," Nabors said. "This is really no big deal. My friend and I, my partner, we went through all of this 38 years ago," Nabors added. "So I mean, we made our vows and that was it. It was to each other, but nevertheless, we were a couple." Asked if he had any advice to young gays and lesbians just beginning to deal with their sexual orientation, he said: "I really don't have any advice. I don't think I'm qualified because I just could handle it my own way. And you don't ever understand what people look down on you, or say cruel things to you about that sort of thing, but nevertheless, that's just life, and you just have to get above it." Last May, Nabors underwent open heart surgery at Queens Medical Center. He starred in the television show "Gomer Pyle, USMC" from 1964 to 1969, and new audiences became familiar with him in the years that followed through re-runs of the program. He also was a regular guest on the Carol Burnett Show and hosted his own variety and talk shows in the 1970s. A singer known for his rich baritone voice, Nabors also performed in musical theater productions in Florida, Nevada and Hawaii. For ten years, he starred in the annual production of A Merry Christmas With Friends and Nabors at Hawaii Theatre in Honolulu, ending in 2006. Nabors said he said he knew he loved Hawaii the first time he traveled to the islands in the 1960s. "I just walked off that plane and knew this is where I wanted to be. It was the air and the friendship and the friendliness and the people, you know. I just knew, there's something inside me that told me 'Hey, you're gonna end up here,'" Nabors said. "I love this place. I love everything about it."
	__________________ 'Twas The Night Before Christmas And All Through The Full House Not A Creature Was Stirring, Not Even Mighty Mouse. All My Children We're Nestled All Snug In Their Beds While Visions Of Sugarbakers Danced In Their Heads.

01-31-2013, 11:21 AM	#6
gilligan fanatic Born to Be Bad Forum Fanatic Join Date: May 06, 2001 Location: down by the Lagoon Posts: 9,954	38 years, wow!
	__________________ Matt Filmaf ~ Twitter ~ Last.FM

02-05-2013, 02:43 AM	#10
Schmoopie Keep Calm and Love Snoopy Forum Star Join Date: Jul 13, 2008 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 15,697	That's wonderful! It's a shame that they had to wait so long to get married but I hope they have a wonderful life!
	__________________ In memory of my wonderful husband. I love and miss you more than words can say, but I will always and forever keep you in my heart. September 23, 1961-January 14, 2019

10-10-2017, 01:46 PM	#12
Chocolate Moose Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 21, 2007 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 4,881	Oh ... I did not know that! I guess I'm late to the party. Literally.
	__________________ How long a minute is, depends on what side of the bathroom door you're on.

01-30-2013, 11:17 AM	#2
1960'sTVfan Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 30, 2009 Posts: 6,045	This is no surprise, Nabors was rumored to be gay back in the 60's when he was the star on Gomer Pyle.

01-31-2013, 01:54 AM	#5
OH Nuts! Member Forum King Join Date: Feb 15, 2005 Posts: 133,383	I'm happy for him and his partner. 38 years of love and devotion is a marriage to me, and I'm glad they had the opportunity to obtain legal recognition More power to 'em!

01-31-2013, 06:01 PM	#7
AB Member Eternal Member Forum Icon Join Date: Dec 26, 2006 Location: The South Posts: 59,426	Best wishes to him & his partner.

02-04-2013, 06:15 AM	#8
70s show watcher Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: May 20, 2008 Location: between point place and studio 8 h Posts: 4,548	congrats to both of them

02-04-2013, 04:06 PM	#9
Hula Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Mar 13, 2012 Location: United States Posts: 6	Congrats to them both!!

02-06-2013, 08:09 PM	#11
shotzette Member Senior Member Join Date: Jun 30, 2004 Posts: 1,782	Mazeltov, Gomer!

06-10-2022, 01:38 PM	#14
SarahBellum Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 15, 2007 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 3,873	I recently heard that Roy Stuart (Corporal Boyle) was gay, as was Jack Larson who appeared in one episode prior to Roy joining the series. I'm not sure if they were recruited/suggested by Jim Nabors or if it was just a co-incidence.