"Gomer Pyle" Has Married His Longtime Boyfriend

“I’m not ashamed of people knowing, it’s just that it was such a personal thing,” says Jim Nabors, now 82, who’s never spoken to the media about his sexuality until now.

1. Jim Nabors and Stan Cadwallader were married in Washington state in December, when gay marriage was legalized there.

Via: hawaiinewsnow.com

Nabors, who played Gomer Pyle on The Andy Griffith Show from 1962-1964 and on his spin-off show from 1964-1969, met Cadwallader in 1975 in Honolulu.

“I’m 82 and he’s in his 60s and so we’ve been together for 38 years and I’m not ashamed of people knowing, 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.”

According to Hawaii News Now, this is the first time Nabors has acknowledged being gay to the media, though he says he’s never attempted to hide it.

“I haven’t ever made a public spectacle of it. Well, I’ve known since I was a child, so, come on. It’s not that kind of a thing. I’ve never made a huge secret of it at all … I’m not a debater. And everybody has their own opinion about this and actually I’m not an activist so I’ve never gotten involved in any of this.”