Digital Spy spoke to James Michael Tyler, who played Gunther in "Friends."

Tyler said he got the role on "Friends" because he was the only extra to know how to use an espresso machine.

His iconic shock-white hair was also a product of chance rather than intent.



Outside of the Big Six, one of Friends' most prolific characters was Gunther. The barista with hair "brighter than the sun", as Rachel put it, won a place in our hearts with his awkward shuffles and unrequited love for Miss Green.

We got the man behind the hair – James Michael Tyler – on the phone for a natter about what it was actually like being in Friends, a shock coffee-related revelation, his best Gunther moments and where he thinks the Central Perk icon is now...

It's 20 years since Friends started and ten since it ended, but do you still get people yelling 'Gunther' at you?

"I live in the area where the Hollywood sign is. Every afternoon I'll take a daily walk and there are loads of tourists always on the street taking photos of the Hollywood sign. Occasionally, I'll still get recognised as Gunther, which is okay with me."

You got the job in the first place because you can work an espresso machine – did you ever think it would lead to that much of a character?

"You know, I honestly always thought my Masters in fine arts would get me further in the acting world than knowing how to work an espresso machine! That was a happy accident and I'm very, very grateful to have had that skill."

Can you still make a good coffee?

"I do. However, I don't really drink coffee that much! I never have been a big coffee drinker."

You didn't have a line until the 33rd episode of the show – had you come up with a backstory and name for Gunther before then?

"Before then, I had kind of an inkling that Gunther slept in the back of Central Perk – in the storage room. But I didn't create a full-formed backstory for him until much later in the series."

I really liked that he used to be a soap star.

"Yes, he'd kind of fallen on more difficult times, of course. That was a bit surprising, that Gunther was on a soap. I just wonder what sort of character he would have played. He was Bryce on All My Children."

He wasn't a man of many words, so I can't imagine him on a soap.

"I honestly can't either. That would make a very interesting character for the soap. Maybe he was a mime!"

Chandler doesn't know Gunther's surname. Do you know what it is?

"I don't! That was never established. Chandler thinks Gunther's last name is 'Central-Perk', but it was never established. Maybe it was Smith. That would be interesting – Gunther Smith. Some unexpected last name."

A huge part of Gunther's character was that he was in love with Rachel - was there anything to do with that which you found really embarrassing to play?

"No, it was fun. It was fantastic – we had a great chemistry. It made it a lot easier just because Jennifer's such a great person and actress. It made it effortless, actually. No embarrassment."

Phoebe seemed to have a little flame for Gunther. Did you ever want them to get together?

"You know, I love Phoebe as a character, but I honestly could never see Gunther and Phoebe together. I think Mike was meant for Phoebe!"

Phoebe and Gunther did have that kiss - are you disappointed you didn't get to kiss the other girls?

"Well, you know, Gunther got used in that situation because actually Phoebe just wanted to catch his cold. They were all just lovely people to work with – I could not pick a favourite."

Do you have a favourite Gunther moment?

"Wow. That's difficult to answer! There were definitely quite a few memorable ones. I forget the title, I know it was 'The One With...' something! But there was an episode with a gentleman Phoebe was interested in who wore short shorts. And it's probably one of my favourite Gunther moments – when Gunther told him to "put the mouse back in the house". I love that line, I thought it was brilliant."

He had such a look of disgust, too.

"Yeah. Or shock. Or just matter of fact! Gunther doesn't mince words."

Another part of Gunther that was so iconic was his hair – is it true you dyed it just the day before you joined the show?

"Yes. I have a friend who wanted to practise on my head because they wanted to be a stylist. So I offered what hair I had left to turn white. That was a happy coincidence!"

Do you ever want the white hair back? Do you miss it?

"I actually... don't! I had to bleach my hair every week for ten years – that's a bit much. So I wouldn't recommend it. However, it was quite necessary and it definitely completed the character."

Did you enjoy reuniting with Matt LeBlanc on Episodes?

"That was fantastic and it was also a bit odd, because of course, they film that in London. It was odd flying from Los Angeles to the UK to reunite with Matt, who I've worked with for real on a series, as a fictional character with him playing a fictionalised character of himself in real life and myself. It was a bit surreal to go to London to shoot something that was set in Los Angeles."

Would you like to work with the others again?

"Oh, any opportunity. It would be fantastic. I learned so much just by being around them and our crew and cast – everyone was absolutely a master of the game. I was just observing how great TV is made. So I would love to work with any of them again."

How do you feel about calls for a Friends movie or a reunion?

"You know, I think that the show ended actually at the right time for the storyline and the characters. I just don't know if it would be a comedy still to see people of their characters' age, if they were still struggling and going through the same things that they were going through at the time. I don't know if that would be funny or not. So I think it actually ended at the right time."

Gunther and Rachel's goodbye was lovely as well.

"Oh, yeah! I'm really glad that the writers gave Gunther the opportunity to at least express his love, his unrequited love, which was still unrequited. I'm glad that they gave the character a bit of closure there!"

Do you wish there could have been a Gunther spinoff? We had Joey – why didn't we have Gunther?

"You know, people just didn't know as much about Gunther. I never really gave much thought or consideration or expectation that there would be a Gunther spinoff. You know, I think it's best that he does remain kind of a mystery."

Where do you think he is now?

"Maybe he owns a chain of Central Perks by now! I would wish Gunther a good future after the fictional world of Friends had ended."

Maybe in Holland, because we know he speaks Dutch. Do you?

"I do not, actually. I speak a bit of German so it made it a little easier to do the lines in Dutch - the pronunciation is similar and the cadence is similar, although they're completely different languages. I do remember every line that I spoke on the episode in Dutch! And that's often requested – that I repeat those lines, if I meet someone who's familiar with it. I've taken a couple of trips to the Netherlands and that episode's quite popular there!"

Is there anything else that comes up a lot when you see fans?

"I get asked if I actually love Rachel, even though she's a fictional character! Gunther loved Rachel. I think Jennifer's an absolutely wonderful human being and a terrific actor so I have a ton of respect for her, but I do get asked that a good bit."

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