Actor James Michael Tyler played Gunther in the infamous TV sitcom Friends shocks fans after revealing he was diagnosed with prostate cancer.
In an interview, Tyler shared with TODAY the struggle he’s endured since learning of his condition back in 2018.
The disease has spread to other parts of his body before doctors discovered it, but he is going through chemotherapy.
“I was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer, which had spread to my bones. I’ve been dealing with that diagnosis for almost the past three years… it’s stage 4. Late stage cancer. So eventually, you know, it’s gonna probably get me.”
Fans were confused as to why the actor wasn’t physically present for the Friends reunion episode on HBO. He expressed how the disease affected his plans.
“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 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? I didn’t want to be like, ‘Oh, and by the way, Gunther has cancer.'”
Because he missed a test due during the pandemic, he was cancer had mutated. It spread to his bones and spine, later leading to paralysis of his lower body.
The actor went public to raise awareness and the importance of regular checkups. He stresses people to get tested
Want more updates on Friends? Check out ‘The Friends Reunion Trailer Has Dropped‘.
