The one who loves Rachel and the one who we love. James Michael Tyler, who portrayed Central Perk waiter Gunther on FRIENDS, has revealed that he is suffering from stage four prostate cancer. The 59-year-old said in an interview with NBC’s Today Show that he was diagnosed in September 2018. It was during a regular physical examination. Since then, the disease has spread to the actor’s bones, and he is unable to walk. Chemotherapy is being administered to him.
Conversing about his diagnosis, he said: “I was 56 years old at the time, and they screen for PSA, which is a prostate-specific antigen.”
“That came back at an extraordinarily high number… so I knew immediately when I went online and I saw the results of my blood test and blood work that there was obviously something quite wrong there.”
“Nearly immediately, my doctor called me and said, ‘Hey, I need you to come in tomorrow because I suspect that you may have quite a serious problem with your prostate.”
He disclosed that the disease had expanded to his bones when he missed another test during the pandemic and that he is now in stage four. “It’s late-stage cancer,” he said. “So eventually, you know, it’s gonna probably get me.”
He used the chance to encourage other men to go to their next doctor’s visit and have themselves looked out. “There are other options available to men if they catch it before me,” he said.
“Oh, and Gunther has cancer”
Gunther was and continues to be a beloved figure among FRIENDS fans, despite not having as much screen time as the other six main characters.
Gunther served as a waiter and manager at Central Perk throughout the series. He had a crush on Jennifer Anniston’s character Rachel. She also worked there as a waitress in the early seasons of the series.
Last month, he made a brief cameo via Zoom on the Friends reunion special. He stated of the show, “It was the most memorable 10 years of my life, honestly,”
“I couldn’t have imagined just a better experience. All of these guys were fantastic and a joy to work with. It felt very, very special.”
“I didn’t want it to be like ‘Oh, and by the way, Gunther has cancer,” he remarked of not announcing his illness during the reunion.
He went on to say that the rest of the cast was aware of his condition. David Schwimmer, who portrayed Ross on the show, has been in contact with him via Instagram. The producers are well aware and have been for some time.
Fan favorite
Tyler was a fan favorite owing to his deadpan delivery and appeared on the series for the whole 10-year run.
In 2012, he appeared in an episode of the BBC sitcom Episodes alongside his Friends co-star Matt LeBlanc, portraying an ice hockey coach. The Disturbance at Dinner, Foreign Correspondents, Motel Blue, and Jason’s Big Problem are among his cinematic credits.
As they interviewed Tyler, the Today show showed images of his home life, featuring him in a wheelchair. The actor grew emotional as he spoke. When asked whether he would do anything differently, Tyler replied tearfully, “I would have listened to my wonderful wife – who has been my absolute strength throughout all of this. I would have gone in earlier and would’ve hopefully been caught earlier. Next time you go in for a basic exam or your yearly check-up, please ask your doctor for a PSA test. Caught early, (it’s) 99% treatable.”
While holding back tears, Tyler said he hopes his story will “save just one life” as he encourages others to get screened.
“My goal this past year was to see my 59th birthday. I did that, May 28th,” he said. “My goal now is to help save at least one life by coming out with this news.”