The big fans by “Friends” around the world are in mourning this Sunday evening. James Michael Tyler – famous for playing the character of Gunther in “Friends” – has passed away. The news was confirmed by the actor’s representative on the American people site TMZ. According to him, the actor passed away peacefully in the morning at his home in Los Angeles – after battling stage 4 prostate cancer. He was 59 years old.
He was somewhat of the seventh “friend” of the hit series “Friends”, but those close to the actor “knew him as an actor, musician, cancer awareness advocate and loving husband,” they said. communicated to the local press. “Michael loved live music, cheering on his Clemson Tigers and often found himself on fun and unforeseen adventures. If you’ve met him once, you’ve made a lifelong friend, ”they added as an epitaph.
James Michael Tyler first revealed his cancer earlier this year. The ad had stunned fans, as he had just appeared in the “special” reunion episode and had made no mention of it then. He then went on to explain why he hadn’t made the news public at the time, saying he didn’t want to be a depressing factor for this special moment. In fact, he was first diagnosed in 2018, and kept it private for 3 years.
The actor has appeared in several major series during his career – including “Sabrina the Witch”, “Scrubs”, or “Just Shoot Me!” »But his greatest claim to fame remains the cult sitcom, where he played the manager of the« Central Perk »café. It has participated in 150 episodes of “Friends” during its 10 years of existence. And despite his sometimes thankless role he is absolutely adored by fans of the series. James Michael Tyler leaves behind his wife, Jennifer Carno.