Actor James Michael Tyler who played coffee shop manager, Gunther on a TV series, ‘Friends’ died yesterday at the age of 59 years.
Tyler died at his home in Los Angeles after battling prostate cancer that he was diagnosed with on September 18, which had spread to his bones. This statement was released by his representative, Toni Benson to a US media.
As a character in ‘Friends’, Tyler appeared in some 150 episodes across all 10 seasons of the beloved 1990s sitcom, sarcastically managing central Park– the cafe where the other characters hung out– and pinning after Rachel played by Jennifer Aniston.
Tyler also appeared in a number of other series such as ‘ Scrubs,’ ‘Sabrina the Teenager witch’ and ‘ Modern Music.’
Warner Bros TV tweeted that it was mourning the loss of a ‘ beloved actor’ and integral part of our ‘ Friends’ family. Our thoughts are with the family, friends, colleagues and fans.
Friends stars such as Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, and Lisa Kudrow also paid tribute to the late Tyler.
Aniston said the show ” would not have been the same” without Tyler’s performance as the Central Perk waiter.
” Thank you for the laughter you brought to the show and to all of our lives. You will be missed,” she said.
Co-star Cox, who played Monica said, ” 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.”
Lisa Kudrow who played Phoebe on the show said,” James Michael Tyler, we will miss you. Thank you for being there for us all.”