‘Friends’ Star Dead After Cancer Diagnosis Catches Fans Off-Guard

Actor James Michael Tyler, who snarked his means into the hearts of hundreds of thousands as Gunther on “Buddies,” has died of prostate most cancers on the age of 59.

Tyler died Sunday morning at his Los Angeles house, in response to TMZ.

“The world knew him as Gunther (the seventh “Buddy”), from the hit collection ‘Buddies,’ however Michael’s family members knew him as an actor, musician, cancer-awareness advocate and loving husband,” TMZ quoted the household saying in a press release.

“Should you met him when you made a good friend for all times,” a press release launched by his supervisor stated, in response to the BBC. “[He] is survived by his spouse, Jennifer Carno, the love of his life.”

Warner Bros. Tv mourns the lack of James Michael Tyler, a beloved actor and integral a part of our FRIENDS household. Our ideas are together with his household, buddies, colleagues and followers. ❤️☕️ pic.twitter.com/9coGnT5BHz

— FRIENDS (@FriendsTV) October 24, 2021

In 2018, Tyler was recognized with superior prostate most cancers which later progressed, spreading to his bones.

“Wanting to assist as many individuals as potential, he bravely shared his story and have become a campaigner for these with a prostate to get a … blood take a look at as early as 40 years previous,” his supervisor stated.

Tyler made a brief appearance on the “Buddies” reunion particular .

“It was probably the most memorable 10 years of my life, truthfully,” the actor stated on the time, BBC reported. “I couldn’t have imagined only a higher expertise. All these guys have been unbelievable and only a pleasure to work with. It felt very, very particular.”

Tyler mad an look in virtually 150 episodes of “Buddies” throughout its run from 1994 to 2004.

Whereas studying about James Michael Tyler’s tragic loss of life, Rachel’s remaining phrases to Gunther got here to thoughts…

“After I’m in a café, having espresso, or I see a person with hair brighter than the solar, I’ll consider you” 💔 https://t.co/4p8nEsEJm8

— Anna Collinson (@AnnaCollinson) October 24, 2021

In June, he opened up about his situation throughout an look on “Right this moment,” in response to Us.

“I used to be recognized with superior prostate most cancers, which had unfold to my bones. I’ve been coping with that analysis for nearly the previous three years … It’s stage 4 [now]. Late-stage most cancers. So finally, you already know, it’s gonna in all probability get me,” he stated then.

Actor James Michael Tyler (@slate_michael) performed Gunther on “Buddies” for 10 years, however he was unable to attend the current forged reunion in individual as a result of he’s been battling a critical well being problem. Now he’s sharing his information for the primary time with @craigmelvin. pic.twitter.com/272tg4Sbvc

— TODAY (@TODAYshow) June 21, 2021

Tyler had been combating for his life when the pandemic got here, and his routine was altered, with drastic penalties.

“I missed stepping into for a take a look at, which was not a great factor,” Tyler stated, in response to US. “So the most cancers determined to mutate on the time of the pandemic, and so it’s progressed … Subsequent time you go in for only a fundamental examination or your yearly checkup, please ask your physician for a PSA take a look at. It’s simply detectable … If it spreads past the prostate to the bones, which is most prevalent in my kind, it may be much more troublesome to take care of.”

Tyler stated he needed to be a part of the “Buddies” reunion, however he didn’t need his condition to overshadow the occasion.

“I needed to be part of that, and initially I used to be going to be on the stage, at the very least, with them, and be capable of participate in all of the festivities,” he stated. “I used to be very pleased to be included. It was my choice to not be part of that bodily and make an look on Zoom, principally, as a result of I didn’t wanna convey a downer on it, you already know? … I didn’t wish to be like, ‘Oh, and by the best way, Gunther has most cancers.’”

James Michael Tyler Our Gunther handed away final evening. He was an unimaginable one who spent his remaining days serving to others. God bless you James, Gunther lives perpetually.

— Kevin Vivid (@kbrightELA) October 24, 2021

Tyler stated that his character on the show was created as a result of on the time he was the one additional on the set capable of work the espresso machine.

“I realized a lot simply by being round them and our crew and forged — everybody was completely a grasp of the sport,” Tyler stated. “I used to be simply observing how nice TV is made.”

Tyler additionally acted in  “Sabrina the Teenage Witch,” “Scrubs” and “Fashionable Music,” in response to Variety.