RIP Gunther

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James Michael Tyler, the actor who played the manager of Central Perk (Gunther) on the TV show Friends, passed away yesterday at the age of 59. He had been battling prostate cancer. He actually had to appear virtually at the Friends reunion this past spring because the cancer had spread to his spinal cord and he was confined to a wheelchair. The fact that he had cancer didn't come out until after the reunion. The actor said that he didn't want it to take away from the happiness of the special. Gunther was infatuated with Rachel (Jennifer Aniston). He hated Ross (David Schwimmer) who dated her and eventually had a baby with her. James Michael Tyler was initially hired as just an extra but the writers liked him so much that they created a character for him. Rest peacefully and thanks for the laughs.