Friends
Summary
Gunther , spiel by James Michael Tyler , is one of the most memorable supporting character ofFriends . seem in a total of 185Friendsepisodes , Gunther is ofttimes seen in the background work as a barista at Central Perk , a go - to hangout of the six main characters of the NBC sitcom . He is a major mend of the NBC sitcom , but Gunther is never considered an official member of the group onFriends . The character is best recognize for his colored habiliment and his discolorise hair , and throughout the serial , Gunther has an unanswered crush on Rachel Green ( Jennifer Aniston ) .
While Tyler had one - off role in shows likeSabrina the Teenage WitchandScrubsand appeared in short film , the doer is most jazz for playing Gunther onFriends . As a recognizable shape from the show , Tyler also voice - pretend as Gunther in the gamesFriends : The One with All the TriviaandFriends : Scene It?In June 2021 , the belovedFriendsactor announce that he had been diagnose with prostate Cancer the Crab in 2018 , and a few month subsequently in October 2021,James Michael Tyler diedat the eld of 59 .
James Michael Tyler Was Cast As Gunther On Friends Because He Knew How To Work An Espresso Machine
Tyler was initially sick onFriendsas an extra , but he also had real - life experience working as a barista . As the only backcloth actor who knew how to work an expresso automobile , he was able to be behind the counter at Central Perk as " Coffee Guy . " In an interview withInsider , Tyler shared , " You know , I honestly always opine my Masters in fine art would get me further in the act world than have sex how to work an espresso machine ! " Interestingly , even though Tyler was spew for his coffee - make ability , the espresso machine was never used whileFriendsfilmed because it was too loud .
After appearing in dozens of episodes , one of the show ’s Almighty asked if Tyler had real playing experience . Tyler’sFriendsrole was elevate from " Coffee Guy " to a recurring character named Gunther . In time of year 2 , episode 9 , " The One With Phoebe ’s Dad , " Tyler finally had a stock of dialogue that turned out to be one word , " Yeah . " This line mark a milepost for Tyler , and it open up the door to him becoming the most prominent character onFriendsoutside the chief cast .
Gunther’s Bleached Hair On Friends Was Also A Coincidence
Part of what set Gunther apart from other characters onFriendsis his wardrobe and hairstyle . Much like how his casting on the show was co-occurrent , Gunther ’s hallmark bleached hair was also not plan . The solar day before Tyler appear on the show , he let his friend who wanted to be a hairstylist bleach his hair as practice . While Tyler became known for the hairstyle , he did not escape it , tellingInsider , " I had to decolor my pilus every week for ten years – that ’s a bit much . So I would n’t recommend it . " Even after the show ended and Tyler hug his unbleached hair , fans ofFriendsstill recognized him as Gunther .
The Gunther character followed Tyler throughout his calling , and in 2012 , he appeared on Matt LeBlanc ’s TV showEpisodeswhen LeBlanc , who played Joey onFriends , adjudicate to get one of his honest-to-goodness Colorado - stars to appear in his unexampled show , but as a joke the only cast phallus he can touch is Tyler . Tyler also appeared on Max ’s reunification specialFriends : The Reunionin 2021 through a video call . The actor still being recognized as Gunther fromFriendsand revisiting the fictional character on numerous affair evidence just how much of an impact James Michael Tyler made on fans and pour down culture .
