If you ever watched The Andy Griffith Show, you’ll remember Gomer Pyle, the lovable, clumsy mechanic played by Jim Nabors. Jim wasn’t just a hit on that show—he parlayed his role into a thriving career in comedy and music. Even after retiring from show business in 2014, Jim’s life continued to inspire. In 2013, just a year before his retirement, he tied the knot with his longtime partner, Stan Cadwallader. Scroll on to learn more about the man behind one of Hollywood’s most cherished icons.
Meet the Love of Jim Nabors' Life: Stan Cadwallader
Before Jim Nabors became a household name, he was already making waves with his role as Gomer Pyle on The Andy Griffith Show, appearing in 23 episodes between 1962 and 1964. That role catapulted him into his own spinoff series, Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., which aired from 1964 to 1969. Not content to stick to just one genre, Jim became the host of The Jim Nabors Hour from 1969 to 1971 and was a recurring guest on The Carol Burnett Show. But behind the scenes, Jim’s life was just as fascinating as his on-screen persona.
In 1976, Jim made a bold decision to leave the glitz and glamour of California for the serene beauty of Hawaii. He had fallen in love with the islands during a vacation a decade earlier and decided to make them his home. Stan Cadwallader, a firefighter in Hawaii, became the love of Jim’s life. Together, they ran a macadamia nut farm in Maui and enjoyed a quiet, private life away from the public eye. Their love story culminated in a 2013 wedding in Washington, just a month after same-sex marriage was legalized in the state.
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In a candid interview with Hawaii News Now in 2013, Jim opened up about why he and Stan kept their relationship private for so long. “I’m 82, and he’s in his 60s, so we’ve been together for 38 years,” Jim said. “It’s just that it was such a personal thing, I didn’t tell anybody. I’m very happy that I’ve had a partner of 38 years, and I feel very blessed. And what can I tell you, I’m just very happy.”
Jim’s final appearance in show business came at the 2014 Indy 500, where he announced his plans to step back from the spotlight and focus on his health and personal life. It was a decision that resonated deeply with those who knew him best.
Jim Nabors: A Life of Quiet Contentment
Author Geoffrey Mark once spoke fondly of Jim’s decision to retreat from Hollywood. “In Hawaii, Jim worked less and less as time went on,” Geoffrey told Closer. “He was happy in his life, happy not having to worry about what people were saying about him. And he found his personal serenity there. And good for him and good for him going public before others did. So, with Jim, you had another celebrity showing you that there was no reason to stay in the shadows.”
Despite his success, Jim faced health challenges. In 1994, he underwent a life-saving liver transplant after contracting hepatitis B. Yet, he lived an extraordinary 23 more years before Stan announced his passing at the age of 87 on November 30, 2017.
“Everybody knows he was a wonderful man,” Stan said in a heartfelt statement at the time. “And that’s all we can say about him. He’s going to be dearly missed.”
