Friends forever for Gunther

Friends forever for Gunther

8 QUESTIONS WITH James Michael Tyler

James Michael Tyler, who plays Gunther, the cafe barista in Friends, does not mind being remembered just for that role.

Actor James Michael Tyler is best known to TV viewers around the world as Gunther, his most famous role - the cafe barista in the now iconic series Friends (1994 - 2004).

The character, though just a recurring cameo, was memorable for his socially awkward behaviour, bleached platinum blond hair and hilariously unrequited love for one of the show's leads, Rachel Green, played by Jennifer Aniston.

Appearing in 148 of Friends' total of 236 episodes, he did not have many lines but quickly became a fan favourite.

Tyler, 51, has no issues with living in the character's shadow. In a telephone interview with Life! from his home in Los Angeles, he says: "That's always a question - if it is worth it in the long run to have such a role. But I have no regrets whatsoever.

"I was a minor character on a major show, and if I get called Gunther forever, that's fine with me."

He was fielding media interviews to promote the Blu-ray edition of Friends: The Complete Series, now available in stores.

The sitcom Friends, about a group of six 20something pals living in New York City, was wildly popular during its 10-year run and continues in syndication worldwide today. It also made huge stars of its main cast, which included Courteney Cox, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, David Schwimmer and Lisa Kudrow.

Tyler has not managed to snag a bigger part than Gunther following the end of Friends. Though he played a string of supporting roles on shows, including medical comedy Scrubs in 2005 and teen sitcom Sabrina The Teenage Witch in 2001, none was particularly memorable.

It is a situation he has come to terms with.

"Dwelling on that sort of thing limits me further. Some people just put too much emphasis on subjects like that. Accepting whatever it is just makes things a lot easier."

Outside of acting, he keeps himself busy with different projects, such as writing music and screenplays.

He is married to a personal trainer and they have no children.

1. After Friends ended, did producers typecast you as Gunther?

Yeah, I was called in for casting sessions where they say that they are looking for "a Gunther type". I would get called in, but then I'd never get cast, maybe because it was too similar. So there was a Catch-22. But that's fine, I accepted it.

2. Some reports say you were cast for the role because you were the only extra on set who knew how to work the espresso machine. Is that true?

That's one of those Internet myths. I was working in Los Angeles as a barista and the second assistant director for Friends - whom I had worked with before - knew about that, and since Friends had a coffee-shop set, he called and asked if I'd like to come in. I never had to make any real espressos in those 10 years because the machine was so loud.

3. Did you have any inkling that the character of Gunther would stick around for all 10 seasons of Friends?

No, not at all. I remember about halfway through filming the second season, (creator) Marta Kauffman told me, "You have a character name now. It's not just the coffee-shop guy, and also, you have a line in tonight's show." I was so excited to finally get to say something. But it wasn't really a line - it was a word. Ross (Schwimmer) asked me if I had stairs in my house, and I said yeah.

Later, when they developed the obsession that Gunther had with Rachel, they continued that arc for eight more seasons, even though I thought they would resolve it in only two episodes. I count my blessings and am very grateful for all that.

4. To this day, re-runs of Friends episodes are broadcast on TV around the world. Are you sick of watching the show yet?

For years, the show was on every channel somewhere at any given time of the day, and at first, that was difficult for me, because it was hard to watch the show in an objective manner and just enjoy it. I would watch an episode and think of things that happened on the set that day.

But over the years, I can finally watch the show and really enjoy it as an objective viewer.

5. When you were playing Gunther, did you develop an entire back story for the character in your head?

Yes, I did. I had his entire back story worked out, but I kept it to myself. I did it to keep him consistent, but I didn't want to reveal too much. It helped to keep him a mystery to the outsiders, but to me, I knew where he lived and everything.

6. Are you in touch with the Friends cast?

Not really. It's just a matter of everyone going off in different directions. They have personal relationships now and different lives from when we were all on the show. I'll see them passing in traffic on the freeway in Los Angeles. But I had a cameo on Episodes (as myself in 2011), so it was great seeing Matt (LeBlanc) again. It was quite surreal, playing versions of ourselves on a fictional show together.

7. Do people still recognise you on the streets, especially now that you do not have bleached hair anymore?

You're right, I don't bleach my hair anymore, but people do still recognise me. Normally, they think I sold them their car or went to school with them. They see me but can't seem to place me. Having said that, there are some passionate fans who recognise me and even recognise my voice.

8. How would you like to be remembered?

I'd like to be remembered as a much nicer guy than Gunther was, and for being really grateful for what I had.


Get a copy of The Straits Times or go to straitstimes.com for more stories.

This website is best viewed using the latest versions of web browsers.