Actor James Michael Tyler attends the Central Perk pop-up to celebrate the 20th anniversary of "Friends" on September 16, 2014 in New York City.
(CNN) -
James Michael Tyler, better known as Gunther the cafeteria manager on the hit show "Friends," died peacefully at his home on Sunday, according to his manager Toni Benson.
He was 59 years old.
"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," Benson's statement read.
Tyler passed away at his Los Angeles home on Sunday after a battle with prostate cancer, which was first diagnosed in 2018, according to Benson.
"Michael loved live music, cheered on his Clemson Tigers and often found himself immersed in fun and unplanned adventures. If you knew him once, you had made a friend for life," the statement read. .
The actor became popular for playing Gunther, the Central Perk coffee shop manager and admirer of Rachel on the iconic '90s TV show for 10 seasons, but appeared in many other titles, including "Scrubs," "Modern Music. "and" Sabrina, the teenage witch. "
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"Warner Bros. Television mourns the loss of James Michael Tyler, a beloved actor and an integral part of our FRIENDS family," tweeted the "Friends" Twitter account.
"Our thoughts are with his family, friends, colleagues and followers."
Tyler first revealed that he was battling stage 4 prostate cancer in June when he spoke to NBC's Today Show and said doctors discovered his cancer during a routine physical when he was 56 years old.
The cancer had spread to his bones, he said, rendering him unable to walk.
He was treated with hormonal therapy.
Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death among men in the United States, according to the Mayo Clinic.
While some types of prostate cancer grow slowly and may need minimal or even no treatment, others are aggressive and can spread quickly.
