Friends actor James Michael Tyler diagnosed with prostate cancer
He played Gunther in the hit show
Last updated 21st Jun 2021
Friends actor James Michael Tyler has revealed his prostate cancer diagnosis. The star famously played Central Perk coffee shop manager Gunther in the popular sitcom, from 1994 to the final series in 2004.
The popular actor opened up about his health on the Today Show on Monday 21st June. He said: "I was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer, which has 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.”
The 59-year-old recently appeared via Zoom in the Friends Reunion, alongside Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, David Schwimmer, Matt LeBlanc, Lisa Kudrow and Matthew Perry. However, he was unable to join his former cast mates in person due to his ongoing health battle.
James explained that the cast were aware of his diagnosis when they filmed the special episode in April. He added: “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? … I didn’t want to be like, “Oh, and by the way, Gunther has cancer.”
James later confirmed that he had received the diagnosis in September 2018, after the illness being caught during an annual check-up.
He continued: “I was 56-years-old at the time, and they screen for PSA, which is prostate-specific antigen. That came back at an extraordinarily high number, so I knew immediately when I went online and I saw the results of my blood test and blood work that there was obviously something quite wrong there.
“Nearly immediately, my doctor called me and said ‘Hey, I need you to come in tomorrow because I suspect that you may have quite a serious problem with your prostate.’”
After more tests, he was diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer and began hormone therapy, which he said “worked amazingly for about a year” but it began to spread, eventually to his bones and spine, leading to paralysis of his lower body.
James continues to go through chemotherapy to treat the cancer.
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