James Thurston "Jim" Nabors, is an American actor, singer, and comedian. He is best known for his portrayal of the good-hearted but naive Gomer Pyle on two highly successful 1960s sitcoms, The Andy Griffith Show and its spinoff Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.. Given his goofy demeanor and high-pitched voice on both Andy Griffith and Gomer Pyle, it was surprising to many when he revealed a strong baritone singing voice and turned it into a successful recording career.

Nabors was also a popular guest on variety shows in the 1960s and 1970s, including two of his own (1969 and 1974). He was a favorite on The Carol Burnett Show and The Muppet Show. Carol Burnett considered Nabors her lucky charm, and he was always the first guest on every new season of her show. Burnett and Nabors have long been close friends with both owning homes in Hawaii (Nabors is still a resident while Burnett's tenure was from 1975-1990. Comedian Minnie Pearl looked on Nabors as a surrogate son, and he often vacationed with her and her husband.

After allegedly contracting hepatitis after accidentally cutting his face and making himself a "bloody mess" while attempting to shave with a straight razor in India, Nabors received a liver transplant in 1994.

From Wikipedia