Friends star Gunther aka James Michael Tyler dies at 59; Courteney Cox, Jennifer Aniston and others mourn his demise

Actor James Michael Tyler who was popularly known for his role as Gunther, the coffee shop owner in the iconic sitcom FRIENDS has passed away at the age of 59. According to his manager, Toni Benson, James died from prostate cancer. For the unversed, Tyler was first diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer in 2018. Tyler even made an appearance in the FRIENDS The Reunion episode, leaving everyone nostalgic. 

As soon as the news broke out, Tyler’s co-stars like Courteney Cox, Jennifer Aniston, Lisa Kudrow, Matt Le Blanc penned their heartfelt tributes for Gunther on their respective Instagram account. 

Cox who played Monica Geller in the show shared his photo and 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.” Whereas Aniston who was Rachel Green — the one Gunther was unconditionally in love with her also mourned his demise. She shared the scene from FRIENDS when Gunther confessed his love for Rachel and backed it with, “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 #JamesMichaelTyler”

 

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A post shared by Jennifer Aniston (@jenniferaniston)

 

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Lisa who essayed Phoebe Buffay in the sitcom also remembered James as she wrote, “James Michael Tyler, we will miss you. Thank you for being there for us all. #jamesmichealtyler”

 

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Le Blanc who played Joey Tribiani shared a scene still with him and accompanied it with, “We had a lot of laughs buddy. You will be missed. RIP my friend.”

 

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Even Bollywood actor Anushka Sharma mourned his demise as she too paid homage to James on her Instagram stories.

Also read: Jennifer Aniston REACTS to dating rumours with Friends co-star David Schwimmer; says, “That’s my brother”