He was known as “the seventh friend,” and Rachel’s eternal fan. Gunther represented all of us who have been in the friendzone, and today, we are saddened to learn that after suffering from prostate cancer, actor James Michael Tyler passed away at the age of 59.
According to TMZ, the actor’s representative informed that James passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by his family, all this in Los Angeles, California. His prostate cancer was already in stage 4 and it was very difficult for him to recover, according to the source.
‘If you met him, once, he became your friend for life.’
His family members confirmed the actor’s death, adding that “the world knew him as Gunther from the hit series Friends, but Michael’s loved ones knew him as an actor, musician, cancer awareness advocate, and loving husband.” They further stated that James Michael Tyler “loved live music, cheered on his friends and often immersed himself in fun adventures. If you met him once, you made a friend for life.”
Recall that the famous Gunther announced he had prostate cancer earlier this year, although he had been diagnosed in 2018. Fans of the series were dismayed mainly because he did not mention anything in the reunion of Friends released on HBO Max. Days later he indicated that he did not want anything to ruin that special moment.
Besides Friends, James Michael Tyler appeared on series such as Sabrina, the Teenage Witch, Scrubs, Modern Music, Just shoot me!, among others. Undoubtedly Friends was the series that made him famous and an endearing character throughout 150 chapters in which he participated as the boss in the iconic Central Perk cafe.
Translated by María Isabel Carrasco Cara Chards
Cover photo from EFE
