30 Years Ago Today, a Fan-Favorite Friends Character Finally Spoke After 33 Episodes

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Several characters on Friends quickly became memorable, particularly through famous lines like Chandler Bing’s wish for a million dollars. Others took a bit longer to develop, becoming fully realized after multiple appearances. Generally, the show’s recurring characters improved with each episode, becoming as familiar and comforting as the main cast – but one character truly stood out.

Besides the six main characters, Gunther—the barista at Central Perk—appeared in more episodes than anyone else, showing up over 100 times. That’s significantly more than the next most frequent guest star, Jack Geller, who appeared 21 times. However, Gunther was mostly a background character and often wasn’t even credited. He didn’t speak his first line until the 33rd episode (his 24th appearance), in Season 2’s “The One With Phoebe’s Dad.”

This scene happens while Ross is trying to win Rachel back after making a pros and cons list about her. He tries to give her a slinky as a gift, but when she doesn’t want it, he asks Gunther if he has stairs. Gunther simply says “Yeah,” and Ross gives him the slinky instead. It seems like a small moment, but it’s actually significant because it’s how Gunther became a recurring and important character throughout the show.

Gunther Was The Seventh Friend

Gunther, memorably played by the late James Michael Tyler, was a vital part of what made Friends so popular. He provided a fun contrast to the show’s main characters, representing an outsider who occasionally interacted with their close-knit group. Starting with a simple “yeah,” he delivered some of the show’s funniest lines – like speaking Dutch and playfully calling Ross a “donkey” – and became known for his unrequited crush on Rachel. In fact, Gunther appeared in more scenes with the core six characters and learned more about their lives than any other supporting character.

Interestingly, the character of Gunther wasn’t originally planned. The show initially featured an older man named Terry (played by Max Wright), who was likely the owner of Central Perk. He interacted with the main group and filled a similar role to Gunther. The show never explained what happened to Terry, but it’s believed he retired and left Gunther in charge of the coffee shop. James Tyler, the actor who played Gunther, actually had experience as a barista, which helped him get the part and became part of his character’s story.

Let me tell you, Gunther’s unforgettable hair wasn’t intentional! Apparently, a friend of Matthew Perry’s dyed it the night before his audition, and it wasn’t quite what they’d planned. But the producers loved it – they thought it perfectly captured his character – and kept it! Can you imagine Central Perk without that hilariously bright hair? I certainly can’t. It just wouldn’t be the same.

Friends is available to stream on HBO Max.

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2025-12-14 17:18