James Michael Tyler, best known for his iconic role as Gunther on the 1994 hit TV sitcom "Friends", has died at the age of 59 following a battle with prostate cancer.
Tyler passed peacefully in his Los Angeles home on Sunday after a battle with stage four prostate cancer, which he was diagnosed with back in 2018.
The late actor had advocated throughout his treatment for prostate cancer blood screenings for those with prostates starting at as young as 40 years old, in the hopes of an increase in early detection.
Tyler opened about his own experience with cancer earlier this year on "Today".
The "Friends" cast mourned on social media their beloved friend and former co-star.
“Friends would not have been the same without you. Thank you for the laughter you brought to the show and to all of our lives. You will be so missed,” Jennifer Aniston wrote on Instagram.
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Courteney Cox took to social media, saying: “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,”.
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“James Michael Tyler, we will miss you. Thank you for being there for us all,” Lisa Kudrow stated.
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The tributes continued rolling Monday morning, with Matthew Perry, tweeting, “We lost a good Friend yesterday in James Michael Tyler. Gunther, you will be missed. Read [sic] in Peace,”.
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David Schwimmer thanked Tyler on Instagram for playing such a wonderful, unforgettable role on the hit show. He also referred to Tyler as a “big-hearted gentleman and all-around mesch off screen,”.
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“We had a lot of laughs buddy. You will be missed. RIP my friend.” Matt LeBlanc stated.
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The "Friends" Twitter account also made a statement Monday in the wake of his passing.
"Warner Bros. Television mourns the loss of James Michael Tyler, a beloved actor and integral part of our FRIENDS family. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, colleagues, and fan," the tweet reads.
https://twitter.com/FriendsTV/status/1452397247245651974
The late actor began his time on "Friends" as a background actor whose role soon expanded beyond a Central Perk employee.
He had the most guest credits of any guest actor on the series despite never becoming a series regular. His role became so popular that he was often considered the seventh friend.
The late actor's character was best known for his unrequited and unspoken obsession over Rachel, played by Aniston.
Tyler managed to make an appearance on the HBO Max's "Friends: The Reunion Special" earlier this year.
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