James Michael Tyler, who portrayed the character of Guther of hit US sitcom ‘Friends’, died at the age of 59 after a long battle with prostate cancer. The news was confirmed by his manager Toni Benson. Tyler was first diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer in 2018.
“The world knew him as Gunther (the seventh ‘Friend’), from the hit series ‘Friends,’ but Michael’s loved ones knew him as an actor, musician, cancer-awareness advocate, and loving husband,” Benson wrote in a tribute.
“Michael loved live music, cheering on his Clemson Tigers, and would often find himself in fun and unplanned adventures.”
Over the show’s multi-year run, he became the most frequently recurring guest star on the series.
Here’s how the other ‘Friends’ reacted to Gunther’s death as they paid a heartfelt tribute to their seventh Friend:
Jennifer Aniston wrote: “Friends would not have been the same without you. Thank you for the laughter you brought to the show and to all of our lives. You will be so missed #JamesMichaelTyler.”
In an Instagram post, Courteney Cox said: “The size of gratitude you brought into the room and showed every day on set is the size of the gratitude I hold for having known you. Rest In peace James.”
“James Michael Tyler, we will miss you. Thank you for being there for us all. #jamesmichealtyler,” Lisa Kidrow said in her tribute.
“We had a lot of laughs buddy. You will be missed. RIP my friend,” wrote Matt LeBlanc.
After ‘Friends’ ended in 2004, Tyler made appearances on “Scrubs,” “Modern Music” and he played himself on an episode of Matt LeBlanc‘s “Episodes” in 2012.
After being diagnosed with cancer, he starred in two short films while undergoing treatment. In order to help raise awareness for the Prostate Cancer Foundation, he gave a spoken word performance of the Stephan Kalinich poem “If You Knew.”
Tyler is survived by his wife, Jennifer Carno.
