Net Worth Ranker
What Was Jim Nabors’ Net Worth?
At the time of his death on November 30, 2017, Jim Nabors, the beloved American actor, singer, and comedian, had a net worth estimated at $40 million. This substantial wealth was accumulated over a career spanning several decades, encompassing television appearances, music recordings, live performances, and real estate investments.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
James Thurston Nabors was born on June 12, 1930, in Sylacauga, Alabama. He began showcasing his performing talents during his college years at the University of Alabama, where he participated in skits and was actively involved in the Delta Tau Delta International Fraternity. Post-graduation, Nabors initially worked as a typist for the United Nations in New York before transitioning to Chattanooga, Tennessee. There, he gained experience as a film cutter at NBC affiliate WRGP-TV. This early experience in television production provided a foundation for his later success in the entertainment industry.
Breakthrough with “The Andy Griffith Show” and “Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.”
Nabors’ move to Los Angeles, prompted by his asthma, led to a pivotal moment in his career. While working as a film cutter for NBC, he also performed cabaret theater at The Horn in Santa Monica. It was there that he captured the attention of Andy Griffith. Griffith invited Nabors to guest star on “The Andy Griffith Show” as Gomer Pyle, a character inspired by Nabors’ stand-up routine. The Gomer Pyle character quickly gained popularity, leading to Nabors becoming a regular on the show. The character’s success ultimately led to the creation of a spin-off series, “Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.,” which aired for five seasons. While specific salary details from this period are not publicly available, the success of both shows undoubtedly contributed significantly to Jim Nabors’ Net Worth.
Television and Film Appearances
Throughout the 1970s, Jim Nabors expanded his television presence with appearances in children’s programs like “The Krofft Supershow” and “Buford and the Galloping Ghost.” He also became a recurring “good-luck charm” on “The Carol Burnett Show,” appearing in every season premiere. In 1973, Nabors showcased his vocal talent by singing “The Star-Spangled Banner” before Game One of the Major League Baseball World Series. He also starred in an episode of “The Rookies.” These various television appearances helped maintain his visibility and popularity, adding to his income stream.
In 1976, after relocating to Hawaii from Bel Air, California, Jim Nabors launched and hosted “The Jim Nabors Polynesian Extravaganza” at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. This show ran for two years, providing a steady source of income and solidifying his connection to the Hawaiian Islands. His second variety show, “The Jim Nabors Show,” aired from 1977 to 1978. Although the show was canceled after one season, it received a Daytime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Host or Hostess in a Talk, Service or Variety Series. Following the cancellation, Nabors embarked on a touring production of “Man of La Mancha” and appeared on the Saturday morning children’s television show “The Lost Saucer,” where he showcased his singing abilities.
Jim Nabors also made a guest appearance on “The Muppet Show” during its first season. In 1984, he starred in the “Moulin Rouge” show at the Las Vegas Hilton and continued to perform in various shows throughout Reno and Las Vegas, Nevada. Nabors ventured into feature films with roles in “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” (1982), “Stroker Ace” (1983), and “Cannonball Run II” (1984). He also starred in “A Merry Christmas with Friends and Nabors,” a live performance show produced by Burton White, which ran from 1997 to 2006. The show featured local and national artists and continued until director Thom Hansen’s death in 2006.
Music Career and Recordings
Jim Nabors’ vocal talent was first revealed to a wider audience on “The Song Festers” episode of “The Andy Griffith Show” in February 1964. He further showcased his singing abilities in April 1964 on “The Danny Kaye Show,” marking the beginning of his successful music career. Nabors released numerous recordings and performed live extensively. While his recordings primarily featured romantic ballads, he also sang country, gospel, and pop music. On November 3, 1967, Nabors, as Gomer Pyle, performed “The Impossible Dream (The Quest)” in Washington, D.C., at a U.S. Navy relief show, accompanied by the Marine Corps Band. A clip from this performance was featured on Pink Floyd’s album “The Wall” in the song “Nobody Home.” Nabors also hosted a variety show, “The Jim Nabors Hour (1969–1971),” which earned an Emmy nomination. Following the show’s cancellation, he embarked on a nationwide roadshow.
Specific sales figures for his albums and singles are not readily available, but his successful music career undoubtedly contributed significantly to Jim Nabors’ Net Worth.
Awards and Honors
Throughout his career, Jim Nabors received numerous awards and honors. In 1978, a section of U.S. Route 280 in Talladega County, Alabama, was renamed “Jim Nabors Highway” in his honor. In 1991, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 2008, Hawaii Pacific University honored him with the Fellow of the Pacific Award in recognition of his “outstanding leadership, service, and dedication to the community.” In 2006, Nabors was inducted into the Alabama Stage and Screen Hall of Fame. In 2007, he was honored at “A Night of American Heroes,” an annual benefit dinner for the Battleship Missouri Memorial at Pearl Harbor. In 2013, General James F. Amos, Commandant of the Marine Corps, made Jim an honorary Sergeant during the Marine Corps birthday ball. These accolades recognized his contributions to entertainment and his commitment to community service.
Real Estate Investments
Jim Nabors made significant real estate investments throughout his life, particularly in Hawaii. He moved to Hawaii full-time in 1976. Two years after his passing, his primary home in Honolulu was listed for just under $15 million. This 6,000-square-foot home, situated on over half an acre, boasted 170 feet of ocean frontage. The property was eventually sold for $12 million after three months on the market. The address of this property is not publicly available. In 2014, Nabors purchased a 170-acre property in Hana, Maui, for $2.7 million. This property was later listed for sale in August 2020 for $4.5 million. For over 30 years, he owned a 340-acre macadamia nut farm in Maui. In 2002, he sold this property to the National Botanical Garden for $4.7 million, with the intention of preserving it. These real estate transactions played a significant role in accumulating Jim Nabors’ Net Worth.
Personal Life
Jim Nabors was an avid vacationer throughout his life and owned a macadamia plantation on Maui for 25 years. He sold the plantation to the National Tropical Botanical Garden in the late 1990s, but continued to own a second home on the property and retained farming rights to the land. On January 15, 2013, Nabors married Stan Cadwallader, his partner of nearly four decades, at Seattle’s Fairmont Olympic Hotel. The wedding took place a month after the legalization of same-sex marriage in Washington. Nabors’s sexuality was largely kept private until his marriage. Jim Nabors passed away at his Honolulu home on November 30, 2017, at the age of 87.
Net Worth Summary
In summary, Jim Nabors’ Net Worth of $40 million at the time of his death was a result of his successful career in television, music, and real estate. His iconic role as Gomer Pyle, his musical recordings, live performances, and strategic property investments all contributed to his financial success. While specific figures for his earnings from each of these ventures are not entirely public, the overall picture indicates a career marked by both talent and astute financial management.
