In the near two decades since "Friends" has been off the air, a lot has changed for its actors. Unfortunately, some of the series' most memorable side characters have since died. In 2020, Stan Kirsch, who portrayed Ethan in "The One with the Ick Factor" in 1995, died by suicide at the age of 51. The "Highlander" actor was remembered by his former show as "a warm presence that will be missed."

Fans will also remember Taylor Negron who played chef Allesandro, the angry restaurateur who would eventually offer Monica a job as head chef during the show's fourth season. After being diagnosed with liver cancer in 2008, he died in 2015 at 57 years old. 

In 2016, Alexis Arquette died at the age of 47 of cardiac arrest after living with HIV for years. Her brother David was married to Courteney Cox. In addition to Alexis's memorable roles in films like "Pulp Fiction" and "The Wedding Singer," she appeared in two episodes of "Friends," including a stint as the Waiter in Drag in "The One With Chandler's Dad."

James Michael Tyler — who played Central Perk's resident manager and barista, Gunther — died in 2021 after he was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2018. "'Friends' would not have been the same without you," co-star Jennifer Aniston wrote on her Instagram. Thank you for the laughter you brought to the show and to all of our lives. You will be so missed."

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