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James Michael Tyler, best known for playing Gunther on Friends, has passed away, TODAY has confirmed. He was 59 years old.
The actor “died peacefully at home in Los Angeles on Sunday morning after losing his life to prostate cancer,” said his family.
“The world knew him as Gunther (the seventh ‘Friend’) from the hit series ‘Friends’, but Michael’s loved ones knew him as an actor, musician, cancer education advocate and loving husband,” the family statement said. “Michael loved live music, cheered his Clemson Tigers on, and often had fun and unplanned adventures. Once you’ve met him, you’ve found a friend for life. “
“Michael was first diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer in September 2018,” they said. “Wanting to help as many people as possible, he courageously shared his story and advocated that people with prostates get their first PSA blood test as early as the age of 40.”
“I was 56 years old at the time and they are screening for PSA, a prostate-specific antigen,” Tyler told Craig Melvin earlier this year. “That came back in an exceptionally high number … So I knew as soon as I went online and saw the results of my blood test and my blood work that there was obviously something wrong. Almost immediately, my doctor called me and said, ‘Hey, you have to come by tomorrow because I suspect you have a pretty serious problem with your prostate. ‘”
After further testing, Tyler was diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer.
“A lot of men, when they catch this early, it’s easy to deal with,” he said. “I don’t want people to have to go through what I’ve been through. It’s not … an easy process.”
Tyler said he was surrounded by an “extraordinary” support group throughout the process, with many “people” praying for his health.
“It made me personally aware of how important every moment is, every day,” he said. “And fight. Don’t give up. Keep fighting. Keep yourself as light as possible. And have goals. Set goals. My goal last year was to celebrate my 59th birthday. May done. My goal now is to help save at least one life by getting this news out. “
Tyler leaves behind his wife, Jennifer Carno.
This story first appeared on TODAY.com. More from TODAY:
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