James Burrows has sadly passed away.
The acclaimed television director and producer died on Friday (June 19) at the age of 85.
Burrows was best known for co-creating Cheers and directing every episode of Will & Grace‘s original run. He also directed episodes of Friends, Frasier, Taxi, and more beloved comedies, with more than 1,000 directing credits to his name.
The Burrows family told People, “We celebrate the extraordinary life and enduring legacy of James ‘Jimmy’ Burrows, who passed away peacefully today surrounded by his loving family. For more than five decades, Burrows was one of the most influential and beloved directors in television history. As a legendary director, mentor, and creative force, he helped shape generations of comedy and brought immeasurable joy to audiences around the world.”
Most recently, Burrows appeared as himself in episodes of HBO’s The Comeback, directing an AI-written episode for Lisa Kudrow‘s Valerie Cherish in season three.
Throughout his career, Burrows won 11 Emmy Awards and was nominated for dozens more!
The lengthy statement included details about his career and influence.
“Over the course of his unparalleled career, Burrows directed more than 1,000 episodes of television and was instrumental in creating some of the most iconic series ever produced, including The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Taxi, Cheers, Frasier, Friends, Will & Grace, and The Big Bang Theory, among many others.
“But beyond his remarkable achievements, Burrows will be remembered for something even greater: his kindness, generosity, and unwavering belief in the people around him. He possessed a rare ability to make everyone better and was known for remembering every person he met by name, making colleagues at every level feel seen, valued, and appreciated.
“Burrows understood that great comedy was never simply about laughter. It was about humanity, connection, and truth. That understanding became the foundation of a career that forever changed television. His influence will continue to be felt for generations through the countless artists he inspired, the stories he helped tell, and the millions of people whose lives were brightened by his work.
“Above all else, Burrows was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He is survived by his beloved wife, Debbie, his four daughters, and his seven grandchildren. He will be profoundly missed and forever remembered. Our thoughts are with Debbie, his children and grandchildren, his family, friends, collaborators, and all those whose lives he touched. May his memory be a blessing.”
Burrows is survived by his wife Debbie and his three children from his previous marriage to Linda Solomon. We send our condolences to his loved ones during this difficult time.
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