James Burrows co-created Cheers and helped to bring some of the biggest comedies of all time to the screen.
Jennifer Aniston and James Burrows at the Friends reunion in 2021(Image: INSTAGRAM)
One of the undisputed greats of TV comedy has died. Legendary director James Burrows, who co-created Cheers and helped bring the likes of Friends, Frasier and Will & Grace to countless viewers around the world, has died aged 85.
A statement issued by the Burrows family tonight read: “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.”
The tribute, which was shared with People, continued: “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 co-created Cheers with brothers Les and Glen Charles with the show first airing in 1982 and continuing to run for 275 episodes – almost all of them directed by James – with the sitcom still regularly airing today.
He went on to work on Frasier, the Cheers spin-off that made Kelsey Grammar an ever bigger star. Burrows, who has won 11 Primetime Emmy Awards and five Directors Guild of America Awards, also directed 15 episodes of Friends.
He also appeared playing a director of the film Joey gets a role in for the Friends episode The One With the Butt and appears as a version of himself in Lisa Kudrow comedy The Comeback.
Burrows, who was married to hairstylist Debbie Easton, also leaves behind three daughters and one stepdaughter.
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