Friends Week: James Michael Tyler on being Gunther

Digital Spy presents Friends Week - seven days of special features celebrating 20 years of the US sitcom that became a cultural phenomenon.

We're celebrating the anniversary of Friends all week, and outside of the Big Six, one of the show's most prolific characters has to be 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...

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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!"