ENTERTAINMENT

Star-studded crowd gathers to celebrate Jim Nabors 85th birthday

The Associated Press Published Saturday, June 13, 2015 5:49PM EDT

In this Friday, June 12, 2015 photo, Jim Nabors and his friend and longtime collaborator in comedy Carol Burnett celebrate Nabors' 85th birthday with nearly 300 people at his home in Honolulu. (John Berger/Honolulu Star-Advertiser via AP)

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HONOLULU - A celebration of actor Jim Nabors' 85th birthday and 40th anniversary brought nearly 300 people to his Honolulu lawn.

The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reports that messages rolled in from across for the man who portrayed Gomer Pyle on "The Andy Griffith Show." Friday marked not only his birthday but the start of his 40th year with his now-husband, Stan Cadwallader.

Lt. Gen. John A. Toolan, Jr., commanding general of the United States Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, delivered congratulations from President Barack Obama.

Meanwhile, Gov. David Ige said he represented the people of Hawaii when he designated June 12 "Jim Nabors' Day."

Nabors is also known as an ardent supporter of the U.S. Marine Corps. He is one only a handful of people to earn the official status of "Honorary Marine."