Shortly after news of Tyler’s death was made public,Jennifer Anistonpaid tribute to the late actor — who played Central Perk barista Gunther on the hit show — with a sweet message on Instagram.
“Friends would not have been the same without you,” the actresswrote, posting a scene from an episode ofFriends, as well as a headshot of Tyler’s character on the series. “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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The clip that Aniston, 52, shared came fromFriends' series finale, where Tyler’s Gunter confessed his love for Aniston’s Rachel, bringing an end to the long-running gag about his crush on her that was featured throughout the show.
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Courteney Coxalso honored Tyler, sharing the same headshot of him from the set ofFriendsalongside a kind message. “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,” shewrote. “Rest In peace James. ♥️.”
FellowFriendsstarsLisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc andDavid Schwimmeralso paid tribute to Tyler with sentimental posts on social media as well.
James Michael Tyler on Friends.Warner Bros. /Everett
Sharing the same headshot photo as Cox, 57, and Aniston on Instagram, Kudrow, 58,wrote: “James Michael Tyler, we will miss you. Thank you for being there for us all. #jamesmichealtyler.”
In his own remembrance, LeBlanc, 54,said, “We had a lot of laughs buddy. You will be missed. RIP my friend,” alongside two shots — including one of him conversing with Tyler on the set of the popular NBC sitcom series.
Schwimmer, 54, meanwhile, also shared the same headshot of Tyler as his former castmates. “James, thank you for playing such a wonderful, unforgettable role in Friends and for being such a big hearted gentleman and all around mensch off screen,” hewrotealongside the post. “You will be missed, buddy. #JamesMichaelTyler.”
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Tyler, who famously starred onFriendsfor ten years across 150 episodes — and whose character was even included as the seventhFriendin the 2019 LEGO setthat featured the iconic coffee shop where he worked — revealed his cancer diagnosis for the first time in mid-June, about three years after his treatment began in 2018.
“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 onToday, noting at the time that he was undergoing chemotherapy.
James Michael Tyler.Anthony Harvey/Getty
Tyler also explained that 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.
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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.
In 2013, he played the main lead in the seriesModern Music.Despite undergoing treatment, the actor also starred in two short films —The Gesture and the WordandProcessing— where he won best actor awards at multiple film festivals.
source: people.com
