Jim Nabors Death Reports Brought About By Confusion

Jim Nabors Dead?

There are Jim Nabors death reports on Twitter. But no, Jim Nabors is not dead.

The false Jim Nabors death reports were due to people's confusion when George Lindsey died Sunday. With news headlines saying an "Andy Griffith Show" star passed away, some thought it was Jim Nabors who played Gomer Pyle in the show. Lindsey portrayed the character of Goober Pyle in the defunct American sitcom. It was Lindsey who died from a "brief illness" at age 83 over the weekend.

Though best known for his portrayal of Gomer Pyle, Nabors became a popular guest on variety shows in the 1960s and 1970s (including two specials of his own in 1969 and 1974) after revealing a rich baritone voice. He subsequently recorded numerous albums and singles, most of them containing romantic ballads.

Nabors, 81, is also well known for singing "Back Home Again in Indiana," prior to the start of the Indianapolis 500, held annually over the Memorial Day Weekend. He, however, will miss this year's Indy 500 as he is scheduled for a heart surgery later this month.