James Michael Tyler in 2015 – Ken McKay / ITV / REX Shutt / SIPA
James Michael Tyler, the face of Gunther in Friends, announced that she had prostate cancer. The actor of one of the most cult supporting characters of the American sitcom was unable to participate in the face-to-face episode Friends, the reunion, which will be broadcast this Thursday on TF1. He explained why on NBC morning on Monday.
“I’m not here today to announce a movie adaptation of Friends, but to announce that in September 2018, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer,” he announced. His cancer spread to his bones, he explained, and to his spine during the Coronavirus pandemic. He is now a paraplegic.
Actor James Michael Tyler (@slate_michael) played Gunther on “Friends” for 10 years, but he was unable to attend the recent cast reunion in person because he’s been battling a serious health issue. Now he’s sharing his news for the first time with @craigmelvin. pic.twitter.com/272tg4Sbvc
– TODAY (@TODAYshow) June 21, 2021
James Michael Tyler preferred to participate in the reunion via zoom to avoid drawing attention to his cancer. An opportunity for him to educate the public on the importance of medical examinations to quickly diagnose the disease.