Friends Star James Michael Tyler dead at 59 after cancer battle

James Michael Tyler, who was most remembered for his role as Gunther on Friends, has passed away. He was 59 years old at the time.

His management told E! News that the actor and Mississippi native died peacefully at his Los Angeles home on Sunday, Oct. 24, after a battle with prostate cancer.

The world knew him as Gunther (the seventh ‘Friend’) from the hit series Friends.  According to the statement,  Michael’s loved ones knew him as an actor, musician, cancer-awareness champion, and loving husband.” “Michael enjoyed live music, rooting for his Clemson Tigers, and finding himself in spontaneous escapades. If you meet him once, you’ve made a lifelong buddy.”

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He was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer, which had spread to my bones. He has been dealing with that diagnosis for almost the past three years…It’s stage 4. Late-stage cancer. 

HBO’s Friends: The Reunion special aired a few weeks before the interview. Tyler was unable to join his former cast colleagues on the show in person, but he did make a Zoom appearance for what represented his first formal reunion with all of his co-stars, some of whom remain, close friends, since Friends concluded its 10-season run in 2004.

He said of the show, “Honestly, it was the most memorable 10 years of my life.” “I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect experience. All of these gentlemen were outstanding and a pleasure to work with. It had a very particular feel to it.”
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Tyler played a Central Perk coffee shop employee on Friends who has a thing for Jennifer Aniston’s character Rachel Green. He went on to feature on Scrubs when the show ended, and in 2012, he reconnected with Friends alum Matt LeBlanc on his Showtime sitcom Episodes.

 Michael approached the Prostate Cancer Foundation a few months ago with the goal of spreading awareness about how early detection saves lives. Those with a family history of cancer or who are Black should start talking to their doctor about prostate cancer screening at the age of 40; everyone else should start talking to their doctor about a PSA blood test at the age of 45.