James Michael Tyler, Gunther from Friends, dies aged 59

He might not have been in the main ensemble but he was a huge part of the show

James Michael Tyler, who famously played Gunther in Friends, has sadly passed away aged 59. The actor who played the nervous yet often witty barista and waiter, who was madly in love with Jennifer Aniston's character Rachel, is believed to have died peacefully at his home in Los Angeles on Sunday morning, according to a statement from his manager. https://twitter.com/10NewsFirst/status/1452523804224368644?s=20 The actor was diagnosed with prostate cancer back in 2018 and the disease sadly spread to his bones. In the aforementioned statement, his manager notes how he "Want[ed] to help as many people as possible" and "bravely shared his story and became a campaigner for those with a prostate to get a [...] blood test as early as 40-years-old." The show itself responded to the saddening news, calling Tyler an "integral part of the Friends family". https://twitter.com/FriendsTV/status/1452397247245651974?s=20 Fans we fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of Tyler in the recent Friends: The Reunion, as he was able to be part of the special event via video call. As many have said, while he may not have been part of the main cast, he was an important part of the show and always managed to steal the spotlight with a one-liner. Rest in peace.

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