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Actor James Michael Tyler (Gunther from "Friends") has died at the age of 59
Tyler, who revealed last June that he has stage 4 prostate cancer, succumbed to the disease today (Sunday) and died.
Shortly before that he participated in the "Friends" Union video call, since the disease had already made him a mature cripple and did not want to obscure the festivities
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Monday, 25 October 2021, 01:01 Updated: 01:03
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James Michael Tyler on "Central Park", "Friends" (Photo: GettyImages, Paul Zimmerman / Getty Images)
Actor James Michael Tyler, known for his role as Gunter, the director of the Central Park cafe in the hit sitcom "Friends," passed away today (Sunday) at the age of 59. Tyler died peacefully at his home in Los Angeles, his manager told the media in the United States.
He left behind his wife, Jennifer Carno, "the love of his life."
"If you have met him once, you have earned a friend for life," the statement said.
"The world knew him as a Gunther, but his loved ones knew him as an actor, musician, cancer awareness activist, and loving partner. He loved live music, loved the Clemson Tigers football team, and often found himself in unplanned adventures."
Last June, Tyler revealed that he was battling prostate cancer, which had already reached a very advanced stage in the disease, in which the tumor spread throughout his body.
Tyler then appeared on NBC's "Today" program to talk about his battle with the disease, since he was first diagnosed in 2018, and told the presenter that because he did not catch the cancer early, it spread faster than usual.
During the plague, the player was paralyzed from the waist down due to tumors growing on the spine.
"It's stage 4. late stage cancer," Tyler explained.
"So in the end, you know, it's probably going to take me."
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James Michael Tyler was interviewed for the program "Today" last June (Photo: screenshot, NBC)
Although the illness prevented him from appearing in person at a "Friends" reunion that aired shortly before, in May, Tyler was determined to attend the event. "I wanted to be a part of it, and at first I planned to be on stage with them and take part in all the celebrations," the actor said. Eventually it didn’t help, and the player settled for participation via a zoom call.
"It was bitter-sweet, honestly," he added. "I was very happy to be included. It was my decision not to be a part of it physically and to perform zoom, basically, because I did not want to bass, I did not want to be like, 'Oh, and by the way, Gunter has cancer.'" When asked if the cast knows the severity of his diagnosis, Tyler admitted that "David Schwimmer corresponded with me on Instagram - the producers are aware, they have been aware for a long time."
"My goal for the past year has been to see my 59th birthday," the excited Tyler said. "I did it. My goal now is to at least help save lives."
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