Matthew Perry’s tragic death prompetd millions of fans of the series to remembered other actors of the popular sitcom who sadly passed away. During the ten seasons of the iconic show, multiple actors and actresses starred in Friends as recurrent characters or in cameos.
Robin Williams
The legendary Robin Williams was featured in an episode of the third season playing a character named Tomas, who in an “intimate” conversation reveals to his friend Tim, played by Billy Crystal, that his wife is cheating on him with his gynecologist.
The appearance of both actors was not planned, however, Williams and Crystal were on a nearby set, so they visited the studio.
The producers asked them if they would like to play a small part, and even adlibed the dialogue in the episode called The One With The Ultimate Fighting Champion.
Williams passed away on August 11, 2014, after committing suicide. A few days later his wife revealed that the actor suffered from dementia with Lewy bodies.
Taylor Negron
Taylor Negron was the actor who played Alessandro, owner of the restaurant of the same name who was destroyed by Monica’s (Courteney Cox) criticism in the episode The One Where They’re Going To Party of the fourth season.
After the fierce column written by Ross’ sister, Alessandro decides to go to his apartment to confront her, at which point he is surprised by her tomato sauce, which is why he hires her as the head chef of his kitchen.
Negron passed away due to liver cancer on January 10, 2015, in Los Angeles. He was 57 years old.
Stan Kirsch
Stan Kirsch played Ethan, starring in the first season episode of “The One With The Ick Factor”. In that episode, the young man dates Monica, claiming he is 22 years old. However, she finally discovers the truth: he was 17 and still a schoolboy.
The artist took his own life in the bathroom of his residence in January 2020, which took all of those close to him by surprise
Max Wright
Famous for his role as the family man Willie Tanner in Alf, Max Wright appeared in two episodes of Friends. In the sitcom, the actor was the original manager of the Central Perk coffee shop, until he was finally replaced by Gunther.
The actor died at age 75 in June 2019 after a long battle with cancer.
James Michael Tyler
After Max Wright played the owner of Central Perk, James Michael Tyler played Gunther, the coffee shop manager who was in love with Rachel Green. Tyler played Gunther in 148 episodes of the series.
Tyler was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2018, however, kept it under wraps until June 2021 a little after the Friends reunion, he eventually died of complications after the disease metastasized.
Ron Leibman
Leibman was the actor who played Rachel’s (Jennifer Aniston) authoritarian father, Dr. Leonard Green. In the series, he has several disagreements with Ross (David Schwimmer), whom he repeatedly teases.
The actor died of complications from pneumonia in December 2019, as confirmed by his representative Robert Attermann.