Gunther, played by James Michael Tyler, is a beloved supporting character in the sitcom Friends and appears in a total of 185 episodes. He was initially cast as an extra on the show but stood out because he knew how to work an espresso machine. As the only background actor with barista experience, he ended up being behind the counter at Central Perk as "Coffee Guy".

Despite being hired for his coffee-making skills, the espresso machine was never used during filming because it was too loud. As Tyler continued to appear in episodes, one of the show's creators noticed his talent and asked if he had any real acting experience.

This led to Tyler's role being elevated from "Coffee Guy" to a recurring character named Gunther. In season 2, episode 9, he finally had a line of dialogue, marking a milestone for Tyler and opening the door to him becoming a prominent character on the show. Gunther's trademark bleached hair was also a coincidence.

The day before Tyler appeared on Friends, he let his friend bleach his hair as practice, as his friend wanted to become a hairstylist. This hairstyle became synonymous with the character, but Tyler admitted that bleaching his hair every week for ten years was too much.

Even after the show ended, Tyler continued to be recognized as Gunther. He made appearances as the character in video games and on other TV shows, further solidifying his association with the role.

In 2021, he appeared on the Friends reunion special through a video call. Tyler's portrayal of Gunther left a lasting impact on fans and pop culture. Despite being a supporting character, he became one of the most memorable figures in the show, known for his unrequited crush on Rachel and his unique style. Tyler's real-life experience as a barista and the coincidental bleached hair added authenticity to his portrayal of the character. His portrayal of Gunther will always be cherished by Friends fans.