FriendsalumJames Michael Tylerhas died following a battle withstage 4 prostate cancer, PEOPLE confirms. He was 59.
Tyler, who played Central Perk barista Gunther on the hit show, revealed his diagnosis for the first time in mid-June, about three years after his treatment began in 2018.
He famously starred alongsideJennifer Aniston,Courteney Cox,Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc,David Schwimmer, andMatthew Perryon the NBC sitcom for ten years across 150 episodes. Gunther was even included as the seventhFriendin the 2019 LEGO setfeaturing the iconic coffee shop.
“I’ve been dealing with that diagnosis for almost the past three years. … It’s stage 4 [now], late-stage cancer. So eventually, you know, it’s gonna probably get me,” Tyler shared onTodayin June, noting at the time that he was undergoing chemotherapy.
He explained he was placed on a hormone therapy that “worked amazingly” for a year or so, but “right at the time of the pandemic” last year the cancer “progressed” and spread throughout his body, affecting his spine, which led to paralysis of his lower body.
James Michael Tyler.Anthony Harvey/Getty
The next day, Tyler’s manager and friend, Toni Benson,opened up to PEOPLEabout his positive attitude throughout his cancer treatment, sharing that despite going “through some rough times,” “he wants to live.”
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“Though he’s wheelchair bound, he’s very mobile,” she said at the time. “He has the most amazing attitude.”
The news of his diagnosis came after Tyler appeared virtually on the HBO MaxFriendsreunion special, which premiered in May. The fan-favorite said he still wanted to be part of the event, even if not in-person.
James Michael Tyler.Warner Bros./Courtesy Everett Collection
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“I don’t want people to have to go through what I’ve been going through,” Tyler said. “This is not … an easy process.”
He later added: “It’s made me, personally, just realize how important every moment is, every day. And fighting. Don’t give up. Keep fighting. Keep yourself as light as possible. And have goals. Set goals.”
source: people.com
