Jim Nabors passed away at the age of 87 as a happily-married man who’d been with partner Stan Cadwallader for 40 years — with the beloved star coming out as gay to fight vicious rumors about his health!
Jim Nabors — The Beloved Star’s Secret Gay Life
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Jim Nabors passed away at the age of 87 as a happily-married man who'd been with partner Stan Cadwallader for 40 years — with the beloved star coming out as gay to fight vicious rumors about his health!
Photo credit: Getty Images
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Jim had become a household name after guesting on "The Andy Griffith Show" as lovable Gomer Pyle — and Andy was quick to spin the Alabama native into his own hit sitcom. "Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C." hit the airwaves just as Jim also began to hit the pop charts with his baritone voice. But his secret gay life was suddenly exposed in a bizarre twist!
Photo credit: Getty Images
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Rock Hudson and Jim became linked together in a nationwide rumor — after a gay couple sent out a party invitation that mocked the closeted stars with a fake wedding announcement. Rock had long been the topic of rumors, but Jim had avoided the spotlight. Suddenly the focus of a national joke, Jim joined gay celebs like Raymond Burr and Richard Chamberlain in moving to Hawaii for privacy.
Photo credit: Getty Images
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From there, Jim enjoyed decades of fame — only to become the target of more rumors in 1994 after a horrific health crisis. Jim reportedly contracted the killer virus hepatitis B during a trip to India — saying he cut himself while shaving with a straight razor in tainted water. As the disease destroyed Nabors' liver, his gaunt and frail appearance sparked rumors that he had contracted AIDS.
Photo credit: Getty Images
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But instead of hiding his homosexuality, Jim took his first steps out of the closet in an interview with The National ENQUIRER. "I don't have AIDS!" Nabors said. "Anyone who says that I do is out of their mind." That same interview, however, also revealed that Jim's "longtime companion" Stan Cadwallader was at his side during the crisis.
Photo credit: Getty Images
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A liver transplant saved Jim's life, and the grateful star continued to perform. "Jim didn't need the money," said an insider. "He just liked staying in touch with his fans." The aging star even managed to make one last trip to see his beloved Indianapolis 500 race in 2014 — after marrying his husband in Washington State the year before.
Photo credit: Getty Images
Jim Nabors passed away at the age of 87 as a happily-married man who'd been with partner Stan Cadwallader for 40 years — with the beloved star coming out as gay to fight vicious rumors about his health!
Photo credit: Getty Images
Jim had become a household name after guesting on "The Andy Griffith Show" as lovable Gomer Pyle — and Andy was quick to spin the Alabama native into his own hit sitcom. "Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C." hit the airwaves just as Jim also began to hit the pop charts with his baritone voice. But his secret gay life was suddenly exposed in a bizarre twist!
Photo credit: Getty Images
Rock Hudson and Jim became linked together in a nationwide rumor — after a gay couple sent out a party invitation that mocked the closeted stars with a fake wedding announcement. Rock had long been the topic of rumors, but Jim had avoided the spotlight. Suddenly the focus of a national joke, Jim joined gay celebs like Raymond Burr and Richard Chamberlain in moving to Hawaii for privacy.
Photo credit: Getty Images
From there, Jim enjoyed decades of fame — only to become the target of more rumors in 1994 after a horrific health crisis. Jim reportedly contracted the killer virus hepatitis B during a trip to India — saying he cut himself while shaving with a straight razor in tainted water. As the disease destroyed Nabors' liver, his gaunt and frail appearance sparked rumors that he had contracted AIDS.
Photo credit: Getty Images
But instead of hiding his homosexuality, Jim took his first steps out of the closet in an interview with The National ENQUIRER. "I don't have AIDS!" Nabors said. "Anyone who says that I do is out of their mind." That same interview, however, also revealed that Jim's "longtime companion" Stan Cadwallader was at his side during the crisis.
Photo credit: Getty Images
A liver transplant saved Jim's life, and the grateful star continued to perform. "Jim didn't need the money," said an insider. "He just liked staying in touch with his fans." The aging star even managed to make one last trip to see his beloved Indianapolis 500 race in 2014 — after marrying his husband in Washington State the year before.
Photo credit: Getty Images
