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1951: Graduates with bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Alabama 

1954: Moves to Los Angeles and becomes involved in cabaret entertainment; develops a character similar to Gomer Pyle

1962: Andy Griffith invites him to make a guest appearance on "The Andy Griffith Show" as Gomer Pyle; becomes a full-time cast member

1964: Sings in his operatic baritone singing voice as a guest on "The Danny Kaye Show."

1964: "Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C." premieres on CBS television

1969: "Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C" ends after five successful seasons

1969: Stars as the host of "The Jim Nabors Hour," a variety show (1969-1971)

1972: Sings "Back Home in Indiana" at the opening of the annual Indy 500 auto race for the first time

1977: Hosts "The Jim Nabors Show," a television network variety show, for one year

1978: Sells house in Bel-Air, Calif., to move to Hawaii full time; State of Alabama renames the section of U.S. Highway 280 that runs past Sylacauga the Jim Nabors Highway

1979: Opens "The Jim Nabors Polynesian Extravaganza" in the Hilton Hawaiian Village Dome (show runs through 1981)

1981: Stars in "Christmas In Hawaii with Jim Nabors" television special with Carol Burnett, Tom Selleck, Susan Anton and the Brothers Cazimero

1982: Appears with Dolly Parton and Burt Reynolds in film version of "The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas"

1986: Portrays Gomer Pyle in television reunion movie "Return to Mayberry" with other members of "The Andy Griffith Show" cast

1991: Receives star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

1994: Receives liver transplant after contracting a potentially fatal case of hepatitis B

1997: Presents "A Merry Christmas with Friends and Nabors" at the Hawaii Theatre; show runs annually through 2006

2001: Gomer Pyle "promoted" to lance corporal by Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James L. Jones in 2001

2007: Gomer Pyle "promoted" to corporal by Lt. General John F. Goodman.

2013: Marries Stan Cadwallader in Seattle on Jan. 15.