James Michael Tyler aka Gunther from 'Friends' reveals he is suffering from stage four prostate cancer

James Michael Tyler, the actor who played the role of Gunther on the hit sitcom ‘Friends’ has revealed that he is suffering from stage four cancer. In a recent interview, the actor opened up about his battle with the disease.

Appearing on the Today show on Monday (June 21), the 59-year-old told host Craig Melvin that he got diagnosed with prostate cancer in September 2018. While getting a routine check-up, James was told that he had advanced prostate cancer that had spread to his bones.

He said, “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 was put on hormone therapy which he said "worked amazingly for about a year," allowing him to "go about life regularly".

Tyler added that he missed going in for a test and the cancer mutated at the time of the pandemic and it progressed. The actor is currently undergoing chemotherapy which is "aggressively" fighting the cancer.

Tyler recently appeared virtually on the HBO Max ‘Friends: The Reunion’, which premiered on May 27. He explained that he wanted to be a part of event but not physically as he didn’t want to be a downer.

”I wanted to be a part of that, and initially I was going to be on the stage, at least, with them, and be able to take part in all the festivities. It was bittersweet, honestly. I was very happy to be included. It was my decision not to be a part of that physically and make an appearance on Zoom, basically, because I didn't wanna bring a downer on it, you know?" he said. "... I didn't want to be like, 'Oh, and by the way, Gunther has cancer’,” he said.

Tyler added that many of his fellow cast mates know about his illness and so do the show's producers and they have been supportive of him. The actor said he enjoyed the opportunity to make his appearance "light-hearted" and "connect with" the cast again.

Tyler - who essayed Central perk coffee shop worker, Gunther for 10 seasons of ‘Friends’ -  said that his goal is to “save just one life” with his message.  "That's my only reason for coming out like this and letting people know. That’s my new role,” he said.