The actor had been fighting since 2018 against prostate cancer and, in June, he announced that the disease was at an advanced stage.
Died, at the age of 59, the American actor James Michael Tyler, who was known for playing Gunther in the series Friends (1994-2004). The information is from TMZ.
The actor’s rep told TMZ that Tyler died this Sunday morning (24), at his home in Los Angeles. “The world knew him as Gunther ( Friends’ seventh friend ), but Michael’s loved ones knew him as an actor, a musician, an advocate of conscience in the fight against cancer, and a loving husband,” said the actor’s family.
“Michael loved live music, supported the Tigers Clemson team, and often found himself on fun and unplanned adventures. If you met him once, you made a lifelong friend,” family members said.
In June, he revealed that he had been battling prostate cancer since 2018. In an interview with the Today show, he said at the time that the disease was already well advanced.
“I was diagnosed with prostate cancer, and it’s spread to my bones. I’ve been dealing with it for almost three years. It’s stage four. So eventually, you know… It’s going to get me,” said 59-year-old Tyler deity.
The illness prevented him from personally participating in the special Friends reunion program. “Cancer decided to mutate during the pandemic, so it ended up moving forward,” explained the actor, who is undergoing chemotherapy.
Tyler participated in the show through a video call. “I was very happy to have been included. It was my decision not to participate in person. I didn’t want to make the atmosphere heavy, you know?”, he said.
Because of the advance of cancer, the actor is paralyzed from the waist down. “My goal was to see my 59th birthday, and I made it. Now my goal is to save a life by talking about cancer. [Informing people] is the only reason. It’s my new role.”
Days after revealing his struggle with the disease, he used his Instagram to post a photo and talk about his treatment.
“I finished the second round of chemotherapy last week! Thank you so much everyone for your show of love and support. This means the world to me. Please click on the link in my biography and know that early detection can make all the difference “, he said, alerting netizens about the importance of periodic health examinations and immediate treatment in the face of a cancer diagnosis.
“In September 2018, I was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer that had spread to my bones,” he explained, who, with his spine already affected, uses a wheelchair to move around.
“It’s stage IV cancer. So eventually, you know, it’s probably going to get me,” he lamented who, in the interview, also alerted the public to the importance of preventive screening.
“If there’s one kind of advice I can give men to avoid what I’m going through these days specifically, it’s: get tested. There are people working on it 24 hours a day around the world and the Cancer Foundation Prostate Disease does a wonderful job. They work to find a cure for this terrible disease, and I can assure you that you won’t want to go through what I’ve been through for the past two and a half years,” added James.
Amelia Warner
Amelia Warner writes all the Latest Articles. She mostly covers Entertainment topics, but at times loves to write about movie reviews as well.
