JAMES MICHAEL TYLER. Gunther’s singer in “Friends” died of prostate cancer at just 59 years old. Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox … They paid tribute to James Michael Tyler.
[Mis à jour le 25 octobre 2021 à 15h50] “Friends” mourns one of its supporting roles which definitely marked the series. James Michael Tyler died this Sunday, October 24, 2021, at only 59 years old. The one who played Gunther in the sitcom had been battling prostate cancer since 2018, which had reached stage 4 and had made him paraplegic. Since the announcement of his death, the actors and creators of “Friends” have not failed to pay a final tribute to their former colleague, with whom they have worked for all ten seasons.
“Friends wouldn’t have been the same series without you,” lamented Jennifer Aniston (Rachel) on Instagram, while Courteney Cox (Monica) said she felt “gratitude for having the chance to [l’]have known”. Matt Leblanc hailed the memory of “[son] friend “and Lisa Kudrow (Phoebe) recalled that he was going”[lui] miss. ”David Schwimmer (Ross) thanked him“ for playing such a beautiful and unforgettable role in Friends ”. Matthew Perry, meanwhile, hailed the memory of a “good friend”. As a reminder, he played a supporting role very present in Friends: that of the manager of Central Perks. First appearing, he ended up obtaining a few lines of dialogue and also a comic sub-plot: Gunther was indeed in love with Rachel, never daring to admit to her, before the end of season 10, his feelings.
On June 21, 2021, James Michael Tyler announced at the Today Show that he has suffered for several years from prostate cancer, diagnosed in 2018 during a routine check-up. With the health crisis, the disease had developed, now reaching stage 4. The Friends actor was not very optimistic about his chances of beating his cancer: “He will probably kill me […] My goal last year was to reach my 59th birthday. I made it. ”James Michael Tyler passed away on October 24, 2021 from cancer.
Since the pandemic linked to the coronavirus, the disease of James Michael Tyler had progressed a lot: “I failed a check-up which was not a good thing. And the disease developed”. The interpreter of Gunther in Friends clarified that the cancer had reached his spine, making him paraplegic. During this appearance in the Today Show, James Michael Tyler had called on viewers to be tested regularly, hoping to save “at least one life” thanks to his testimony.
The announcement of the death of James Michael Tyler was a shock for fans of the Friends series, but especially for the actors who rubbed shoulders with him on the set of the cult series. Jennifer Aniston (Rachel) paid tribute on Instagram to the comedian who played Gunther, an extra character who has grown in importance over the episodes: “Friends would not have been the same series without you. Thank you for the laughs that you brought to the set and into our lives. We will miss you so much. ” For his part, Courteney Cox (Monica in Friends) also had a thought for James Michael Tyler upon the news of her passing: “The gratitude you brought and witnessed every day on set is as great as the gratitude I feel for having been so lucky. for knowing you. Rest in peace James “. Lisa Kudrow, Phoebe’s performer, wrote on Instagram that Gunther’s performer will “miss him. Thank you for being here for all of us.”
The actresses of Friends are not the only ones to have paid tribute to James Michael Tyler on the news of his death. Matt Leblanc, who played Joey on the American sitcom, also had a thought for “Gunther”: “We laughed a lot, mate. We will miss you. Rest in peace my friend.” For his part, David Schwimmer (Ross) thanked him for his role, before thanking him “for being a gentleman with such a big heart and a close person behind the scenes.” Matthew Perry (Chandler), had a few words on Twitter for “Good Friend” James Michael Tyler: “Gunther, we will miss you”.
Among the tributes paid to James Michael Tyler, we also note those of the creators of the series Friends, Marta Kauffman and David Crane. They issued a joint statement to salute the memory of Gunther’s performer: “James was a genuinely kind and gentle man. When he started out as an extra in Friends, his unique spirit caught our attention and we surrendered. We had to give him a character. He could identify with Gunther’s one-sided love. Our hearts go out to his wife, Jennifer Carno. “
In the statement that was sent to the American media on the news of the death of James Michael Tyler, Tony Benson, one of his relatives and agent, had these words for the actor: “The world knew him as Gunther (the seventh Friend) in the series, but his relatives knew him as an actor, musician, cancer activist and loving husband. Michael loved live music, cheered on his Clemson Tigers (an American football team , editor’s note) and often found himself on fun and unforeseen adventures. If you met him once, you would make a lifelong friend. “
James Michael Tyler is an American actor. Born May 28, 1962 in Winona, Mississippi, United States, he is best known for playing Gunther in the Friends series from 1994 to 2004. After Friends, James Michael Tyler appeared occasionally on television, in Scrubs in the role of psychologist in 2005, then in Episodes in 2012, alongside Matt Leblanc (Joey in Friends). We could also see it in Iron Chef America and Modern Music. In cinema he appeared in Motel Blue (1999) and Jason’s Big Problem (2010). In 2021, he quickly appears at the Friends cast reunion via zoom. A few weeks later, he announced to the Today Show that he was suffering from prostate cancer diagnosed in 2018. He died on October 24, 2021 at the age of 59.
From 1994 to 2004, James Michael Tyler played Gunther, the manager of Central Perk in love with Rachel, in the hit sitcom Friends. He was chosen among many extras because he was the only one who knew how to use the coffee machine available on the set. Originally, James Michael Tyler was only supposed to do occasional figuration, but the manager of Central Perk eventually became a talking role, allowing the actor to be entitled to more scenes and importance.
James Michael Tyler has been married twice. In 1995, he unites with a certain Barbara Chadsey, with whom he will live until 2014. The couple divorced that year, citing irreconcilable differences. He had since been married to a certain Jennifer Carno.
Born May 28, 1962, James Michael Tyler died at 59 on October 24, 2021, at his home in Los Angeles. The interpreter of Gunther in Friends was killed following his prostate cancer, against which he had been battling since 2018.The comedian had revealed in June 2021 to the Today Show that this disease had reached its “stage 4” and had it paraplegic, and that he was already happy to have reached his 59th birthday, his goal for the past year.
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