James Michael Tyler was an American actor.

Tyler was best known for his role on the popular NBC sitcom Friends as Gunther, a barista at the “Central Perk” coffee shop who harbored a crush on Jennifer Aniston’s Rachel.

A native of Greenwood, Mississippi, Tyler became interested in acting during his time at South Carolina’s Clemson University, where he got a degree in geology in 1984 while performing as part of the student theater group. He went on to receive an MFA in Acting from the University of Georgia. Four years later, he moved to Los Angeles where he worked in Hollywood as a production assistant and assistant film editor.

Tyler appeared in 150 episodes of Friends throughout its run, including the show’s finale. He also appeared virtually in the Friends reunion special which aired on HBO Max in May 2021.

Tyler’s other television credits include appearances in Just Shoot Me!, Sabrina, the Teenage Witch, Scrubs, and Episodes.

Tyler starred in two short films – The Gesture and the Word, and Processing - winning best-actor awards at various domestic and international film festivals.

Tyler died October 24, 2021, in Los Angeles, California. He was 59.