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‘Gomer Pyle’ and ‘The Andy Griffith Show’ star Jim Nabors has died at the age of 87.
He passed away at his home in Hawaii on Thursday morning, according to the Associated Press.
Nabors was originally discovered by Andy Griffith and joined the show as Gomer Pyle in 1962.
It was only supposed to be a one episode role, but the character was so popular and well received that he stayed on the show for three seasons.
It eventually led to his own show on CBS called ‘Gomer Pyle U.S.M.C.’ that had a six year, 150 episode run.
Nabors became a popular guest on a number of variety shows over the years, including The Dean Martin Show, The Carol Burnett Show, The Johnny Cash Show and The Sonny & Cher Hour.
He also became known for singing “Back Home Again in Indiana” before the start of almost every Indianapolis 500 between 1972 and 2014.
Nabors was a gay man who had been with his partner Stan Cadwallader for more than 40 years.
The two married in January 2013 in Seattle, a month after same-sex marriage became legal in Washington State.