Actor Jim Nabors marries male partner in Seattle

Jim Nabors attends the TV Land Awards held at The Hollywood Palladium, March 7, 2004, in Hollywood, Calif. / Getty

The actor best known for playing the TV character Gomer Pyle in the 1960s has married his male partner of 38 years.

Hawaii News Now reports that Jim Nabors and his partner, Stan Cadwallader, traveled from their Honolulu home to Seattle to be married Jan. 15.

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Knots

Gay marriage became legal in Washington state last month.

The 82-year-old Nabors says you've got to solidify something when you've been together as long as they have.

"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."

The couple met in 1975 when Cadwallader was a Honolulu firefighter. Cadwallader is 64.

Jim Nabors is seen in character for his role of Gomer Pyle in this 1966 file photo.

/ AP

Nabors says he's been open about his homosexuality to co-workers and friends but never acknowledged it to the media before.

"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.

Nabors played Gomer Pyle in "The Andy Griffith Show" and "Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C." in the spinoff comedy series. He also made appearances on "The Love Boat," "Knight Rider" and "The Carol Burnett Show."

[A-Hick]

I heard Jim Nabors had a tattoo on his member. Normally it says, "Golly," but when he's watching a Rock Hudson movie it says, "Goah-ooollleeeeeeeey."

Oldie but goodie, just like Jim Nabors. I heard he made it back to Indy this year. Sorry I missed seeing him sing "Back Home Again in Indiana" on TV, but I hope he had his husband there next to him at the track. That's a message those car racing people needed to get. Most would have been fine with it I'm sure. The few that wouldn't, well they think Obama was born in Kenya, and George W. Bush is a "good man."

Gomer was not a self indulgent grandstander about his life, and this part of it has long been an open secret he never angrily or falsely denied, as far as I know. I am sure Andy Griffith knew it with certainly, and given that he was no reactionary, but rather liberal in a modest, tactful way, I am sure he never held it against him, and probably would have attended the wedding had he lived long enough and been invited.

As far as the GOP religious hypos, worry about your party's soul, and people like Mark Sanford that you keep electing before throwing rocks at Gomer Piles.

[hypnotoad72]

Congrats!

So few want to form lifelong partnerships/marriage/etc nowadays...

[tareco60]

First of all, congratulations to Jim Nabors and his partner.

1. It always amazes me that people actually try to imagine other people having sex--WHY??? I don't care if it's a traditional couple or not--it's weird!

2. Don't judge people because they sin differently than you do...

[ralphing]

The more I think about it, I have never seen him give a woman any more then a peck on the check in any movie or TV show he has ever been in. He always played a gay and dorky character, but I thought it was an act.

[jhs1986]

No Gomer No!Say it ain't so. My memories have been shattered! Surely not you!

[erasmus111]

Get over it.

[taxed01]

Wow, this brought out all the bible thumpers.

[hypnotoad72]

They would do a better job reading the book, instead of thumping it. They would be shocked over what it says about them, the rich, slaves, and a slew of other things they are simply not psychologically prepared to handle...

[eroteme2]

Now they can legally enjoy their sodomy frolics.

[die2self365]

Wow! How sad to discover that what I have suspected all along is now true!
We truly are in the last days as Jesus fortold back in His time on earth.
With every choice that we make comes a consequence. Our carnal nature,our flesh & mind,are in rebellion to the commands laid down by GOD. We each will face Him one day for our personal day of judgment. Live ready and don't forget that Jesus is the ONLY One who can cancel our eternal burn notice. God truly desires that no one perish without having made ammends with His son. Today is your day for salvation if you are reading my post.
Jim made his choice and if he dies from this life still in his sin,he will weep when he hears God say to him away from Me I know you not. The lake of fire will be an eternal place of pain and endless suffering for Jim and ALL who die in their sin.
JOHN 3:3=Happy eternity REVELATION 20:15= The eternal burn
To whom we serve is to whom we obey. No one escapes physical death,day of judgment and then final place of eternal choice! Eternity is a personal choice & only a breath away! DON'T blow it.

[AnotherJean]

Good grief, what nonsense! If you believe a god made you as you are, why don't you believe he made some people gay? Oh, I forgot - you're just automatically better than everybody else because you claim to be so religious.

[tcmcf]

People like you are absolutely pathetic. It's not your life to live and decide what's right and wrong; accordingly, simply because you've been essentially brain washed into thinking in the manner you do, I'll feel much sorrier for someone like you in their post-life away from planet Earth, as opposed to someone that has lived their life happily like Jim Nabors. I don't mind if someone has religion by any means, but when you "assume" that your religion is correct as you do, consider the fact that Christianity is one of the much more recently established religions. Consequently, consider the fact that perhaps living an honest life, and being kind is adequate enough to be granted a much less painful afterlife, as you stated, he'll burn in the lake of fire for this. It's much more disgruntling to have people like you on earth than homosexuals. Consider minding your own business and keeping your religion to yourself. People with your mindset are the reason our society is corrupt, crude, and extraordinarily judgmental.

[Social_Adjudicator]

Another "Gomer" with piles.

[w_roos]

Well gawwwwwwww-leeeee. Congratulations, Mr. Nabors.