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.

Friends star James Michael Tyler, who played much-loved barista Gunther on the show, has passed away from prostate cancer at 59 years old | @AngelaBishop pic.twitter.com/DlvGr3bhl0

— 10 News First (@10NewsFirst) October 25, 2021

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.”