Friends Gunther actor James Michael Tyler reveals he was diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer

The Today Show

"I was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer, which had spread to my bones," Tyler said on the Today show. "I've been dealing with that diagnosis for almost the past three years. ... It's stage 4 (now). Late stage cancer. So eventually, you know, it's gonna probably get me." Tyler added that his diagnosis was a reason why he opted to appear in HBO Max's Friends: The Reunion virtually, rather than in person. "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," Tyler said. "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.'"