Jim Nabors married his male partner of nearly 40 years this month, the "Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C." star said Wednesday.

It was the actor's first public admission that he was a gay man, although he told HawaiiNewsNow [4], which broke the news, that he has been out of the closet with friends and co-workers since he began working in television and movies in the 1960s.

"I haven't ever made a public spectacle of it," Nabors told HawaiiNewsNow [4]. "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."

Also read: Jodie Foster Kicks Open the Closet Door - What It Means for Gays in Hollywood [5]

The 82-year old Nabors said he married 64-year old Stan Cadwallader in Seattle, Washington on Jan. 15. Nabors lives in Hawaii, where gay marriage is not legal, although it does permit [6] same-sex civil unions. It was legalized [7] in Washington in 2012.

Nabors said he will not get involved in any campaign to change gay marriage laws in his home state or nationally. 

"I'm not a debater," Nabors said. "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."

Nabors said he was compelled to tie the knot, to "solidify" his rights with Cadwallader as a couple.

In addition to starring as dim-witted Gomer Pyle on both the show that bears his name and "The Andy Griffith Show," Nabors appeared in "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas" and guest starred on "The Muppet Show" and "The Carol Burnett Show."

He also recorded nearly 30 albums, which sample a wide variety of genres, including gospel, Christmas songs, and country.