“The world knew him as Gunther (the seventh ‘Friend’), from the hit series Friends, but those close to Michael knew him as an actor, musician, cancer awareness advocate and loving husband.” , reads Benson’s statement.
“Michael loved live music, cheered on his Clemson Tigers, and often found himself on fun, unforeseen adventures. If you met him once, you made a lifelong friend,” the statement read.
“Friends” co-creators Marta Kauffman and David Crane told CNN in a statement that Tyler was a “really kind and gentle man.”
“When he started out as an extra on ‘Friends’ his unique spirit caught our attention and we knew we had to make him a character,” the statement said. “He made Gunther’s unrequited love incredibly accessible. Our hearts are with his wife, Jennifer Carno.”
The cancer had spread to his bones, he said, leaving him unable to walk. He was treated with hormone therapy.
