Jim Nabors: ''I've never tried to duck Gomer Pyle.''
Nabors loved the character he had popularized.
While some actors spent their entire careers running from the role that made them famous, Jim Nabors actively embraced Gomer Pyle.
"I've never tried to duck Gomer Pyle," said Nabors in an interview with The Kansas City Times. "As a matter of fact, I like the image."
Many actors grow weary of the character that made them a star, while others find it a hindrance during the audition process for future roles. However, Nabors seemed to argue that the fans he gained while playing Gomer Pyle on television, whether it be The Andy Griffith Show or Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., only guaranteed his future success on the stage.
"The people that watch me on television are the same people that come to see me in Las Vegas or Tahoe," he said.
Nabors also believed that, at his core, Gomer Pyle was a genuinely good person. It stands to reason that his fans would share those good morals, a fact that Jim adored.
"I love people who are friendly," said Nabors. "I'm genuinely glad to meet them."
Ultimately, Jim had endeared himself to the public, not only because of his raw talent but also because of his hard work and determination.
"I really work hard for a long time and then I like to take two months off," he said. "I've never done that though."
But it was work that Nabors never tired of, as he loved the entertainment industry. "My favorite, I suppose, would be television," he said. "That was the first thing I was ever really successful at."