James Michael Tyler facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James Michael Tyler
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| Born | May 28, 1962 Mississippi, U.S.
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| Died | October 24, 2021 (aged 59) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
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| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1992–2021 |
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Notable credit(s)
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Friends (1994–2004) |
| Spouse(s) |
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James Michael Tyler (born May 28, 1962 – died October 24, 2021) was an American actor. He was most famous for playing Gunther on the TV show Friends. Before becoming an actor, he worked as an assistant film editor. He also helped with movie production.
Contents
Early Life and Education
James Michael Tyler was born on May 28, 1962. He was the youngest of five children. He was born in either Greenwood, Mississippi or Winona, Mississippi.
When James was ten, his father passed away. His mother died just one year later. After this, James moved to Anderson, South Carolina. He lived there with his sister. He finished high school in 1980.
He went to Anderson College and then Clemson University. He earned a degree in geology in 1984. While at Clemson, he joined a student theatre group. This sparked his interest in acting. He later earned a Master's degree from the University of Georgia in 1987.
Acting Career and Friends
In 1988, James moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting. He worked as an assistant film editor and production assistant. He also worked at a coffee shop called the Bourgeois Pig. This is where he met his first wife, Barbara Chadsey.
From 1994 to 2004, James Michael Tyler played Gunther on the TV show Friends. Gunther worked at the Central Perk coffee shop. He had a secret crush on Rachel Green, played by Jennifer Aniston. James's real-life experience as a barista helped him get the role. An assistant director wanted the coffee shop set to look real.
James appeared in 148 out of 236 episodes of Friends. This made him the most frequent recurring character on the show.
Gunther's Famous Hair
The night before his first appearance on Friends, a friend bleached James's hair. The show's creators loved the look so much. It became a part of Gunther's character. James had to bleach his hair every week for ten years!
Celebrating Friends
In 2009, James helped open a temporary Central Perk coffee shop in London. This was to celebrate Friends' 15th anniversary. Fans could get free coffee and see items from the show.
He also appeared at a Central Perk replica in SoHo in 2014. This celebrated the show's 20th anniversary.
James also appeared as himself in the TV show Episodes. He supported charities like the Lili Claire Foundation and AIDS Project Los Angeles.
Personal Life
James Michael Tyler married Barbara Chadsey in 1995. They separated in 2003 and divorced in 2014. He later married Jennifer Carno in 2017.
Later Years and Passing
James was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2018. He shared his illness publicly in June 2021. This was shortly after the Friends: The Reunion special. The cancer spread to his spine, causing him to use a wheelchair.
He passed away from complications of the disease. He died at his home in Los Angeles, California, on October 24, 2021. He was 59 years old.
Film and Television Roles
Besides acting, James also narrated and hosted the 2005 game Friends: The One with All the Trivia. He also hosted the 2005 DVD board game Friends: Scene It?.
Film Roles
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | The Roommate | Bar Patron | First credited role, short film |
| 1997 | Motel Blue | Oscar Bevins | |
| 1997 | The Disturbance at Dinner | Wilson Pomade | |
| 1999 | Foreign Correspondents | Randy | |
| 2010 | Jason's Big Problem | Blane | |
| 2020 | Processing | Frank Brandt | Short film |
| 2020 | The Gesture and The Word | Gilbert (the postman) | Short film - The Gesture and the Word |
Television Roles
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994–2004 | Friends | Gunther | Recurring role, 148 episodes |
| 2000 | Just Shoot Me! | Doctor | Episode: "Donnie Returns" |
| 2001 | Sabrina, the Teenage Witch | Ethan | Episode: "My Best Shot" |
| 2004 | Iron Chef America: Battle of the Masters | Judge | Episode: Morimoto/Flay VS. Sakai/Batali |
| 2005 | Scrubs | Therapist | Episode: "My Faith in Humanity" |
| 2006 | Nobody's Watching | Himself | Unaired pilot |
| 2010 | Keeping up with the Downs | Chase | Made for TV short film |
| 2012 | Episodes | Himself | Episode Six, Season Two |
| 2013 | Modern Music | Chad Levitz | Main role, 5 episodes (Web series) |
| 2021 | Friends: The Reunion | Himself | HBO Max Special |
Music Video Appearance
| Year | Title | Artist |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | "Come Tomorrow" | Chicane |
If You Knew Spoken Word Performance
In July 2021, James Michael Tyler performed a spoken word piece called If You Knew. Producers created a short film for this performance.
James's recording was part of a 2016 album. This album honored The Beach Boys' lyricist Stephen Kalinich. The album was even considered for a Grammy Award! James also created the music for his recording.
The new video for If You Knew was made to honor James. It also helped raise money for the Prostate Cancer Foundation. All money from streaming the video and James's original recording goes to this foundation.
See also
In Spanish: James Michael Tyler para niños
