Actor James Michael Tyler, who played the role of Gunther in the popular sitcom ‘Friends‘,
on Monday opened up his struggles with prostate cancer, which he was diagnosed
with in 2018.

“I’m sorry to say that I’m not with you today to announce that there’s
going to be a Friends movie. Actually, I’m here to let you know that in
September 2018 I was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer, which had spread
to my bones,” he said on Monday’s episode of the ‘Today’ show.

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The cancer, which was detected in a routing physical checkup, was
already at stage 4 by the time Tyler took a Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA)
test. He said he looked up his test results online and knew it was not normal. Soon
after his test, his doctor called him and “said ‘Hey, I need you to come in
tomorrow because I suspect that you may have quite a serious problem with your
prostate.”

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The 59-year-old actor cannot walk anymore because the cancer spread to
his bones and spine, leading to paraplegia, or paralysis of the lower body, confining him to a wheelchair.

He recently appeared virtually on the Friends reunion episode, where he
chose to not share the news of his diagnosis. “I didn’t want it to be like,
‘Oh, and by the way, Gunther has cancer,’ you know what I mean?” he said.

David Schwimmer has corresponded with me via Instagram. The producers
are aware, they’ve been aware for a long time.”

Tyler further stated that he regrets not heeding his wife, Jennifer
Carno’s advice and getting tested earlier. “I would have gone in earlier, (it)
would have been hopefully caught earlier,” he said.

He also encouraged people to get themselves checked, saying, “Next time you go in for a
basic exam or just a checkup, please ask your doctor for a PSA checkup.”

His only goal now is to “save one life” with his message.