James Michael Tyler, Actor Who Played Gunther on 'Friends,' Dead at 59

He was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2018

Photo via @FriendsTV on Twitter

BY Alex HudsonPublished Oct 24, 2021

James Michael Tyler, the actor who famously played Gunther on Friends, died this morning at the age of 59.

He died at home in Los Angeles following a battle with cancer. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2018.

Tyler's family and manager said in a statement, "The world knew him as Gunther (the seventh 'Friend'), but Michael's loved ones knew him as an actor, musician, cancer-awareness advocate and loving husband. Michael loved live music, cheering on his Clemson Tigers, and would often find himself in fun and unplanned adventures. If you met him once, you made a friend for life."

Due to his health issues, Tyler was only able to appear remotely during the recent Friends reunion. He told Today at the time, "In September of 2018, I was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer, which had spread to my bones." He said that he had corresponded with fellow cast member David Schwimmer about the news.

Tyler also appeared on shows including Scrubs, Episodes and Sabrina, the Teenage Witch. He is survived by wife Jennifer Carno, who he married in 2017.
 
 

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