James Michael Tyler, loved by many for his role as Gunther in Friends, has sadly passed away at just 59 years old.
He died in his home in LA after being diagnosed with prostate cancer.
The actor shared the news following the Friends Reunion TV special as he appeared on the show via video call and later explained why he was unable to attend in person.
Tyler played Gunther, the manager of Central Perk and he quickly became an iconic character in Friends, pining for the love of Rachel Green.
And Jennifer Aniston has led the tributes to the sitcom star who had so many of us laughing in his attempts to win the love of Rachel.
Taking to Instagram, Jennifer posted posted a photo of Tyler as Gunther as well as a clip from the show where Gunther finally declares his feeling to Rachel in the finale.
Jennifer wrote: "Friends would not have been the same without you," the 52-year-old wrote alongside the post.
“Thank you for the laughter you brought to the show and to all of our lives. You will be so missed."
Courtney Cox also shared the same image and added: She wrote: “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.
"Rest in Peace, James."
Matt LeBlanc, who played Joey Tribbiani in the sitcom, shared the same photo of Tyler as his co-stars, while the actor led with a still of the pair on either side of Central Perk’s counter.
“We had a lot of laughs buddy,” he wrote alongside the Instagram post. "You will be missed. RIP my friend."
Lisa Kudrow also wrote on Instagram: "James Michael Tyler, we will miss you. Thank you for being there for us all"
And many fans have commented on the posts quoting Rachel Green's last words to Gunther: "When I’m in a cafe having coffee, or I see a man with hair brighter than the sun, I’ll think of you."
The official Friends Twitter account said: “Warner Bros Television mourns the loss of James Michael Tyler, a beloved actor and integral part of our FRIENDS family.
"Our thoughts are with his family, friends, colleagues and fans."
Tyler revealed in June he had prostate cancer, telling a US TV show he was diagnosed with an advanced form of the disease in 2018 which had spread to his bones.
In a statement announcing his death, Tyler’s representatives said: "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-awareness advocate, and loving husband.
"Michael loved live music, cheering on his Clemson Tigers, and would often find himself in fun and unplanned adventures.
"If you met him once you made a friend for life."
James Michael Tyler's TV credits also included Sabrina the Teenage Witch, medical comedy Scrubs and he appeared via video call on the Friends Reunion.
