Actor James Michael Tyler, best known for portraying the role of Gunther on the hit sitcom 'Friends', passed away at the age of 59. Tyler had been battling prostate cancer since 2018.
According to his representative Toni Benson, Tyler breathed his last on Sunday at his home in Los Angeles, reported CNN. "The world knew him as Gunther (the seventh 'Friend'), from the hit series Friends, but Michael's loved ones knew him as an actor, musician, cancer-awareness advocate, and loving husband," the representative said in a statement.
Gunther worked as a waiter and manager in 'Friends' coffee house, Central Perk. He also worked on several other projects such as 'Scrubs', 'Modern Music', and 'Sabrina the Teenage Witch'. In May, Tyler made a brief virtual appearance on the 'Friends' reunion special.
The untimely demise of actor James Michael Tyler has left his Friends’ co-stars Jennifer Aniston and Courteney Cox, Matt LeBlanc and others in grief.
Taking to Instagram, Jennifer penned a heartfelt tribute for Tyler, who breathed his last on Sunday.
“Friends would not have been the same without you,” the 52-year-old wrote in the post’s caption. “Thank you for the laughter you brought to the show and to all of our lives. You will be so missed.”
Co-star Courteney Cox posted the same photo of Tyler in a pink-striped collared shirt and tie to express her “gratitude” to her former co-star. Cox wrote: “The size of gratitude you brought into the room and showed every day on set is the size of the gratitude I hold for having known you. “Rest In peace, James.”
Matt LeBlanc shared the same photo of Tyler as his co-stars, while the actor led with a still of the pair either side of Central Perk’s counter.
Lisa Kudrow who essayed the character of Pheobe Buffay on Friends wrote: James Michael Tyler, we will miss you. Thank you for being there for us all. #jamesmichealtyler