If you're a social person, chances are that you've thrown quite a party or two, and if you've thrown a party, you know that every social engagement runs the risk of the ultimate faux pas: a party guest that overstays their welcome.

It can be quite an annoyance at times, but for Jim Nabors, overstaying his welcome at a party might have been the best decision he could have made for his career.

While Nabors was known for playing Gomer Pyle on The Andy Griffith Show, Nabors first crossed paths with Andy Griffith when he came to one of Griffith's house parties. Because Griffith and Nabors hadn't been acquainted yet, the invitation was secondhand, and Nabors attended as a plus one to one of the invited guests. However, according to an interview with the Dayton Daily News, Nabors stayed until the very end of the party and stuck out in Griffith's memory because he was the very last guest to leave.

"He was the last one to leave and I asked my wife why he was there in the first place," said Griffith. "Then somebody talked me into going down to the club where he was appearing on one of those continuous entertainment for very little money deals."

See More

Andy GriffithThe Andy Griffith Show

Andy Griffith addressed rumors that he based Andy Taylor off of his own father

Once Griffith saw Nabors perform, he knew that he was destined to be a star, and he'd have to audition for The Andy Griffith Show. "I went crazy watching him and I asked my producer to give him a chance to audition for the role of the filling station operator," Griffith said.

At the time, production was in the final stages of casting the character, but Griffith's good words about Nabors set him apart from the rest of those auditioning. "The part was just about set," said Griffith. "But Jim got a chance and that was the beginning of Gomer Pyle."

Watch The Andy Griffith Show on MeTV!

Weeknights at 8 & 8:30, Sundays at 12 & 6 PM

*available in most MeTV markets

 Add to Favorites  Remind Me