I am quite sure many of you who have no idea of Jim
Nabors. Back in the 1970s, it was gay urban legend that Rock Hudson had married
Jim Nabors. This was cruelly repeated often & was even fodder for comedians
including Johnny Carson. The joke, which I shamefully repeated, was based on
the mere fact that both were gay & homophobia was so much a condition of
the times that you needed to be only suspected of being gay & you
automatically were sexually linked to any other gays.
Jim Nabors, best known for playing Gomer Pyle in The Andy
Griffith Show & Gomer Pyle, USMC, is a newlywed at age 82.
Nabors married his longtime partner, Stan Cadwallader,
64, earlier in early January. The couple, residents of Hawaii & together
for 38 years, got married at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel in Seattle.
Nabors: "We've
been together for 38 years, & I'm not ashamed of people knowing, it's just
that it was such a personal thing, I didn't tell anybody. I'm very happy that
I've had a partner of 38 years, & I feel very blessed. &, what can I
tell you, I'm just very happy."
Nabors had never publicly acknowledged his homosexuality
in the media but said he never really tried to keep it secret. On Post Apocalyptic Bohemian, I
have been rather hard on Nabors for not coming out. I even had a strong comment on his birthday post, taking me to task for being mean spirited.
Nabors: "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."
Nabor’s character, Gomer Pyle, was famous for the
catchphrases: "shazam," "surprise, surprise, surprise"
& "gaaahhlllllee" in the early 1960s on The Andy Griffith Show. After 2 seasons, he was spun off into Gomer
Pyle, USMC, which ran for 5 years. He reprised the role for the 1986 TV movie Return To Mayberry & for the 1990s
series Hi Honey, I'm Home.
Nabors also made frequent appearances on The Carol Burnett Show, The Sonny & Cher Show & hosted
his own series, The Jim Nabors Hour,
from 1969-71.
Nabors, a strong baritone, has recorded more than 25 albums
& has performed on stage in musicals.
Everyone at Post Apocalyptic Bohemia wishes congratulations & the best for Jim & Stan.
I've always felt that the journey to coming out was a personal one, and we all do it as we see fit.
ReplyDeleteNabor's time was now, and, even at 82, it's nice to know.
Even if we always suspected.
Shocked!
ReplyDeleteNo, not really. As time has gone on, I always figured it was a matter of time until gays of earlier generations would come out, and I do understand how circumstances can be very different for all of us...
Wishing Jim & Stan every happiness.
Good for them, BUT, by marrying he now benefits from the work, hardship and dedication of gay activists for decades to reach this point of equality. When he could have come out publicly when he was still relevant 40 years ago, he could have made a BIG difference but he chose not to. NOW, he gets to benefit from the sacrifices of others over the years - just waltz in and claim his rights. Big, old closet case Loser...... I hope he's reading this.
ReplyDeleteI'm fifty.
DeleteThanks for all your hard work, I've been busy working too. I think Jim did as hard as HE, could.
He's not me.
He's not Stephen.
He is not You.
He is Jim Nabors & he got married.
Cool.
What were we fighting for again Saskplanner?
Good for them, I guess. However, he is benefitting from the work, pain and dedication of gay activists for decades to reach this point and HID from the battle himself. When he'd made his fortune and could have come out and helped when he was still relevant he deliberately chose to remain closeted and produce those AWFUL religious records that catered to people who hated gay people - just to make a few bucks.
ReplyDeleteBig old closeted queen - go away now. Hope he reads this.
I think it sweet they tied the knot; no one was surprised.
ReplyDelete