Jim Nabors was lucky enough to leave his old life behind as his star began to rise. But show business is a tough adjustment, especially for someone from so far outside the establishment. As he began to get more famous, Nabors had to recalibrate his mindset to make room for his new lifestyle. Among the toughest changes was accepting that he'd never win over absolutely everybody.

"The hardest thing for me to accept was that everyone didn't like me," Nabors told The Philadelphia Inquirer in 1972. "I just couldn't understand that. Heck, I like everyone. Well, almost everyone."

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Jim NaborsGomer PyleThe Andy Griffith Show

Jim Nabors created the ''happiest set in Hollywood''

While nobody can expect to expect a sort of all-encompassing warm reception, it was probably doubly hard for Nabors to accept.

For starters, he was one of the least offensive, least edgy comedians in America. His "Gee, shucks" country bumpkin act was fine-tuned for mass appeal. He'd worked hard to get to where he was. Nabors' smile was so disarming that it's hard to picture anyone not immediately taken with him.

"It makes you feel that this just isn't your area," said Nabors.

Although some could claim that Nabors wasn't their cup of tea, none could claim he failed at what he did. The man was truly one of one, a never-again-duplicated talent who did one thing so well that it's never been done again since.

Reflecting back on his early career, it's clear that Nabors took some time to figure out those particular footprints he filled.

"I still didn't know just where I could fit into show business," said Nabors. "God knows I wasn't a leading man type. And I thought there were better singers performing at the club than me. And I certainly wasn't a stand-up comedian."

While he may have found an audience regardless, it's clear Nabors was born to play Gomer Pyle on The Andy Griffith Show.

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