Emmy-winning television director James Burrows, a decades-long Hollywood hit-maker who co-created “Cheers” and helmed more than 1,000 episodes of programs ranging from “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” to “Will & Grace” and “Friends,” died Friday at age 85.
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Burrows’ family confirmed his death in a statement to People magazine, saying he “passed away peacefully today surrounded by his loving family.”
Tom Smothers, left, and his brother Dick, right, flank director James Burrows, who holds the Emmy award he won for directing an episode of the televison show “Taxi,” at the Emmy Awards ceremony in Pasadena, Ca., Sept. 7, 1980. (AP Photo)
James Burrows, director of the television series “Partners,” watches over the set of the show on Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2012, at Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, Calif. Burrows isn’t a household name. But behind the scenes Burrows reigns as a comedy giant. He’s a director whose brand of funny business has helped shape TV comedy season after season. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
James Burrows, right, director of the television series “Partners,” plans out a scene as cast member Michael Urie looks on, Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2012, at Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, Calif. Burrows isn’t a household name. But behind the scenes Burrows reigns as a comedy giant. He’s a director whose brand of funny business has helped shape TV comedy season after season. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Alzheimer’s Association’s Laurie Grad, and from left, James Burrows and Grace Potter pose in the audience at the 22nd annual “A Night At Sardi’s” to benefit the Alzheimer’s Association at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Wednesday, March 26, 2014, in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision for Alzheimer’s Association/AP Images)
James Burrows speaks on stage at the 22nd annual “A Night At Sardi’s” to benefit the Alzheimer’s Association at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Wednesday, March 26, 2014, in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision for Alzheimer’s Association/AP Images)
From left, honoree James Burrows and actor Jennifer Aniston participate in the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Presents An Evening Honoring James Burrows panel, on Monday, October 7, 2013, at the Leonard H. Goldenson Theater, in North Hollywood, Calif. (Photo by Frank Micelotta/Invision for Academy of Television Arts & Sciences/AP Images)
From left, honoree James Burrows and actor Jennifer Aniston participate in the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Presents An Evening Honoring James Burrows panel, on Monday, October 7, 2013, at the Leonard H. Goldenson Theater, in North Hollywood, Calif. (Photo by Frank Micelotta/Invision for Academy of Television Arts & Sciences/AP Images)
James Burrows, left, director of the television series “Partners,” goes over the script with cast member Michael Urie on Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2012, at Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, Calif. Burrows isn’t a household name. But behind the scenes Burrows reigns as a comedy giant. He’s a director whose brand of funny business has helped shape TV comedy season after season. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
From left, honoree James Burrows and actors Megan Mullally, Debra Messing and Eric McCormack participate in the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Presents An Evening Honoring James Burrows panel, on Monday, October 7, 2013, at the Leonard H. Goldenson Theater, in North Hollywood, Calif. (Photo by Frank Micelotta/Invision for Academy of Television Arts & Sciences/AP Images)
James Burrows, left, director of the television series “Partners,” plans a scene alongside cast member Michael Urie on Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2012, at Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, Calif. Burrows isn’t a household name. But behind the scenes Burrows reigns as a comedy giant. He’s a director whose brand of funny business has helped shape TV comedy season after season. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Will Arnett and James Burrows seen at The Millers Wrap Party at the Levi’s Haus, on Saturday, March, 22, 2014 in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Invision for Levis Strauss/AP Images)
James Burrows, left, director of the television series “Partners,” goes over a scene with cast members David Krumholtz, second from left, and Michael Urie, right, on Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2012, at Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, Calif. Burrows isn’t a household name. But behind the scenes Burrows reigns as a comedy giant. He’s a director whose brand of funny business has helped shape TV comedy season after season. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
From left, honoree James Burrows and actor Bob Newhart participate in the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Presents An Evening Honoring James Burrows panel, on Monday, October 7, 2013, at the Leonard H. Goldenson Theater, in North Hollywood, Calif. (Photo by Frank Micelotta/Invision for Academy of Television Arts & Sciences/AP Images)
From left, honoree James Burrows and actors Rhea Perlman and George Wendt participate in the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Presents An Evening Honoring James Burrows panel, on Monday, October 7, 2013, at the Leonard H. Goldenson Theater, in North Hollywood, Calif. (Photo by Frank Micelotta/Invision for Academy of Television Arts & Sciences/AP Images)
From left, honoree James Burrows and actor Bob Newhart participate in the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Presents An Evening Honoring James Burrows panel, on Monday, October 7, 2013, at the Leonard H. Goldenson Theater, in North Hollywood, Calif. (Photo by Frank Micelotta/Invision for Academy of Television Arts & Sciences/AP Images)
Honoree James Burrows participates in the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Presents An Evening Honoring James Burrows panel, on Monday, October 7, 2013, at the Leonard H. Goldenson Theater, in North Hollywood, Calif. (Photo by Frank Micelotta/Invision for Academy of Television Arts & Sciences/AP Images)
From left, honoree James Burrows and actor Rhea Perlman participate in the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Presents An Evening Honoring James Burrows panel, on Monday, October 7, 2013, at the Leonard H. Goldenson Theater, in North Hollywood, Calif. (Photo by Frank Micelotta/Invision for Academy of Television Arts & Sciences/AP Images)
From left, actress Debra Messing, honoree James Burrows, actors Danny DeVito and Eric McCormack attend the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Presents An Evening Honoring James Burrows, on Monday, October 7, 2013, at the Leonard H. Goldenson Theater, in North Hollywood, Calif. (Photo by Frank Micelotta/Invision for Academy of Television Arts & Sciences/AP Images)
Debbie Easton and James Burrows seen at The Millers Wrap Party at the Levi’s Haus, on Saturday, March, 22, 2014 in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Invision for Levis Strauss/AP Images)
Chuck Lorre, left, recipient of the Rodney Respect Award, poses with television director James Burrows at UCLA’s 2013 Visionary Ball at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2013 in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
From left, actress Debra Messing, honoree James Burrows and actor Eric McCormack attend the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Presents An Evening Honoring James Burrows, on Monday, October 7, 2013, at the Leonard H. Goldenson Theater, in North Hollywood, Calif. (Photo by Frank Micelotta/Invision for Academy of Television Arts & Sciences/AP Images)
From left, honoree James Burrows and actors Christopher Lloyd and Danny DeVito participate in the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Presents An Evening Honoring James Burrows panel, on Monday, October 7, 2013, at the Leonard H. Goldenson Theater, in North Hollywood, Calif. (Photo by Frank Micelotta/Invision for Academy of Television Arts & Sciences/AP Images)
From left, honoree James Burrows and actor Margo Martindale arrive at the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Presents An Evening Honoring James Burrows, on Monday, October 7, 2013, at the Leonard H. Goldenson Theater, in North Hollywood, Calif. (Photo by Scott Kirkland/Invision for Academy of Television Arts & Sciences/AP Images)
James Burrows arrives at the 75th annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Sunday, Jan. 7, 2018, in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Debbie Easton, left, and James Burrows arrive at night one of the Television Academy’s 2019 Creative Arts Emmy Awards on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Images)
EXCLUSIVE – Jimmy Kimmel, from left, James Burrows, Brent Miller, and Norman Lear pose with the award for “Live in Front of a Studio Audience: Norman Lear’s ‘All in the Family’ and ‘The Jeffersons’” during night one of the Television Academy’s 2019 Creative Arts Emmy Awards on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. (Photo by Willy Sanjuan/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Images)
James Burrows attends the 25th Television Academy Hall of Fame on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2020 at the Television Academy’s Saban Media Center in North Hollywood, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Images)
James Burrows attends the 25th Television Academy Hall of Fame on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2020 at the Television Academy’s Saban Media Center in North Hollywood, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Images)
EXCLUSIVE – James Burrows, right, and Linda Sandrich, wife of inductee Jay Sandrich, pose for a portrait at 25th Television Academy Hall of Fame at the Saban Media Center on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2020 at the Television Academy’s Saban Media Center in North Hollywood, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Images)
EXCLUSIVE – James Burrows speaks at the 25th Television Academy Hall of Fame on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2020 at the Television Academy’s Saban Media Center in North Hollywood, Calif. (Photo by Dan Steinberg/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Images)
James Burrows, from left, Marcy Carsey and Tom Werner attend the 25th Television Academy Hall of Fame on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2020 at the Television Academy’s Saban Media Center in North Hollywood, Calif. (Photo by Mark Von Holden/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Images)
FILE – James Burrows, director of the television series “Partners,” poses for a portrait on the set of the show at Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, Calif., on Sept. 19, 2012. Burrows, who has directed hit comedies including “Taxi”, “Friends,” “Cheers” and “Will & Grace” has written a new memoir called “Directed by James Burrows.” (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, File)
James Burrows, the director/executive producer of “Mid-Century Modern,” poses at the premiere of the Hulu series on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at the Directors Guild of America in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
A cause of death was not released.
“For more than five decades, Burrows was one of the most influential and beloved directors in television history,” according to the family. “As a legendary director, mentor, and creative force, he helped shape generations of comedy and brought immeasurable joy to audiences around the world.
“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.”
The family called him a “devoted husband, father, and grandfather,” survived by his wife, Debbie, four daughters, and seven grandchildren.
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“Will & Grace” star Eric McCormack posted a tribute to Burrows on Instagram.
“We lost a giant today, a mentor to me and a dear friend,” McCormack wrote.
“The 800 lb gorilla of television comedy for fifty years, he was beloved by everyone, and has left not a mark but a footprint. An incredible legacy. Jimmy, thank you for everything you gave us. I love you. And I send so much love to Debbie and your whole beautiful family,” he added.
Born in Los Angeles, Burrows was educated in New York and graduated from the Yale School of Drama. After returning to Los Angeles and working on theater productions, Burrows was hired by Mary Tyler Moore, directing episodes of her landmark sitcom, along with its spinoffs “Phyllis,” “Lou Grant” and “Rhoda.”
He also worked on programs such as “The Bob Newhart Show” and more notably, “Taxi,” which earned him the first two of his 11 career Emmy Awards.
Burrows teamed with “Taxi” producers Glen and Les Charles to create the bar-centered sitcom “Cheers,” with Burrows directing the vast majority of the show’s episodes, earning him six more Emmys.
He quickly became one of Hollywood’s go-to television directors, helming episodes of dozens of series over the year, including “Night Court,” “Dear John,” “NewsRadio,” “3rd Rock from the Sun,” “Caroline in the City,” “Dharma & Greg,” “Friends,” “The Millers,” “Mike & Molly” and “2 Broke Girls.” He directed 246 episodes of “Will & Grace.” He also directed the pilot episodes of ‘Two and a Half Men” and “The Big Bang Theory.”
He received a lifetime achievement award from the Directors Guild of America for television directing in 2015. He was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 2006