The Friends Cast Pays Tribute to James Michael Tyler Following His Passing

James Michael Tyler, greatest identified for taking part in Gunther on the enduring sitcom Friends, handed away Sunday, October 24, following a battle with prostate most cancers. He was 59 years outdated. 

“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,” reads an announcement from Tyler’s consultant, Toni Benson, according to CNN. 

Shortly after information of Tyler’s passing broke, the Buddies solid posted tributes to him on social media. 

“Buddies wouldn’t have been the identical with out you,” Jennifer Aniston wrote. “Thanks for the laughter you delivered to the present and to all of our lives. You’ll be so missed.” 

Courteney Cox wrote in her personal submit, “The dimensions of gratitude you introduced into the room and confirmed day by day on set is the scale of the gratitude I maintain for having identified you. Relaxation in peace, James.” 

Matt LeBlanc shared a pic of himself and Tyler on the Buddies set and wrote, “We had lots of laughs, buddy. You’ll be missed. RIP, my pal.” 

And Lisa Kudrow posted, “James Michael Tyler, we’ll miss you. Thanks for being there for us all.” 

David Schwimmer wrote on his Instagram, “James, thanks for taking part in such a beautiful, unforgettable function in Buddies and for being such a big-hearted gentleman and throughout mensch off-screen. You’ll be missed, buddy.” 

James Michael Tyler revealed his stage-four prostate cancer diagnosis in June 2021. “I used to be recognized with superior prostate most cancers, which had unfold to my bones,” Tyler informed Today.“I’ve been coping with that prognosis for nearly the previous three years…. It’s stage 4. Late-stage most cancers. So finally, , it’s gonna most likely get me.”

His medical state of affairs was why he did not seem in-person on the HBO Max Friends reunion, which premiered in Might. “I wished to be part of that, and initially I used to be going to be on the stage, not less than, with them, and be capable to participate in all of the festivities,” he mentioned. “It was bittersweet, truthfully. I used to be very completely satisfied to be included. It was my resolution to not be part of that bodily and make an look on Zoom, principally, as a result of I didn’t wanna deliver a downer on it, ? …I didn’t wish to be like, ‘Oh, and by the way in which, Gunther has most cancers.’”

However by way of all the things, Tyler remained optimistic and sought to deliver mild to others. “It’s made me, personally, simply notice how vital each second is, day by day,” the actor informed Immediately. “And preventing. Don’t quit. Maintain preventing. Maintain your self as mild as attainable. And have objectives. Set objectives. My aim this previous 12 months was to see my 59th birthday. I did that, Might twenty eighth. My aim now could be to assist save not less than one life by popping out with this information.”