James Michael Tyler, 59 – known for his recurring role on “Friends” as the Central Perk barista Gunther – died in his home on Sunday, Oct. 24 after a three-year battle with prostate cancer.

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Since his diagnosis in September 2018, Tyler shared his story with news outlets to encourage people to get screened for prostate cancer as early as 40 years old. He told Today that for a lot of people, prostate cancer is easily treatable if it’s caught early. 

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“It’s made me, personally, just realize how important every moment is, every day,” Tyler said. “And fighting. Don’t give up. Keep fighting.”

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The stars of “Friends” – Jennifer Aniston, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, David Schwimmer, Courteney Cox and Lisa Kudrow –  all paid their respects to Tyler on social media, along with the show’s production company, Warner Bros. TV. 

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His character was infatuated with one of “Friends” main characters, Rachel Green, played by Jennifer Aniston, and his awkward attempts of asking her to go out with him over the course of 10 seasons added many laughs to the series. At first, the writers intended for Tyler to only be an extra in the show, but after viewers fell in love with Gunther, he became part of the cast as a recurring character in 150 episodes, according to The New York Times.

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The show's co-creators Marta Kauffman and David Crane recalled the beginnings of Tyler’s beloved time on “Friends” to N.Y. Times.

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“When he started as an extra on “Friends” his unique spirit caught our eye and we knew we had to make him a character. He made Gunther’s unrequited love incredibly relatable.”

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The towhead barista finally gained the courage to confess his love to Rachel in the last episode of the series and she let him down in a heartwarming way.

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Gunther’s last scene in “Friends” couldn’t have been more of a perfect end to the character, being both touching and light-hearted.

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“I love you too,” Rachel told Gunther. “Probably not in the same way. But I do. And when I’m in a café having coffee, or I see a man with hair brighter than the sun, I’ll think of you.”