News James Michael Tyler, Central Perk’s Gunther on ‘Friends,’ dies at 59 of prostate cancer October 24, 2021October 24, 2021 Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY Comments Off on James Michael Tyler, Central Perk’s Gunther on ‘Friends,’ dies at 59 of prostate cancer James Michael Tyler, who starred as Central Perk employee Gunther on "Friends," has died at 59 of prostate cancer. He shared his diagnosis in June.