James Burrows, director of classic shows 'Cheers' and 'Friends,' dies at 85

James Burrows, renowned director of classic TV comedies, died at 85 in Los Angeles. Burrows spent his career behind the camera, specializing in situation comedies and directing over a thousand episodes of shows like "Cheers," "Taxi," "Friends," and "Will and Grace."

His family confirmed his death, stating he "passed away peacefully today surrounded by his family." No location or cause of death was provided. Burrows got his start in television relatively late at age 35 in 1974, directing episodes of "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," "The Bob Newhart Show," and "Laverne & Shirley."

He co-created "Cheers," directing 243 of the 273 episodes, as well as all 246 episodes of "Will and Grace." Burrows also helmed multiple episodes of hits like "Frasier," "Friends," and "Mike & Molly," and the pilots of "Two and a Half Men" and "The Big Bang Theory." His work had a profound impact on the television landscape, leaving an indelible mark on the comedy genre.

Burrows' approach to directing was centered around finding the perfect balance between script, performance, and chemistry between actors. In his 2022 memoir "Directed by James Burrows," he wrote, "When I direct a television show, I try to reach that sweet spot where the best script meets the best performance and the best chemistry between performers." This approach earned him the respect and admiration of his peers and colleagues.

Born James Edward Burrows on December 30, 1940, in Los Angeles, he moved to New York when he was 5 years old. His father, Abe Burrows, was a writer, director, and producer who mentored Larry Gelbart, the future creator and producer of the TV show "MAS*H." The younger Burrows spent his youth surrounded by the entertainment industry, watching his father work and meeting celebrities at his father's New Year's Eve parties.

After earning a bachelor's degree from Oberlin College, Burrows attended the graduate program of the Yale School of Drama, where his classmates included actor-comedian Robert Klein, playwright John Guare, and film director John Badham. It was at Yale that Burrows discovered his passion for directing, and he went on to work as a stage manager for various road productions, meeting actors like Hugh O'Brien, Zsa Zsa Gabor, and Julie Harris.

Burrows' first sitcom experience was as Burl Ives' dialogue coach on "O.K. Crackerby!," which was directed by his father and ran for one season on ABC in 1965. He then worked as an assistant on "The Patty Duke Show" before moving back to New York and working for Broadway producers Lee Guber, Frank Ford, and Shelly Gross. It was during this time that he met actor Mary Moore, with whom he would later work on the Broadway production of "Holly Golightly," an adaptation of "Breakfast at Tiffany's" directed by his father.

Throughout his career, Burrows was known for his kindness, generosity, and unwavering belief in the people around him. His family stated, "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." This quality earned him the respect and admiration of his peers and colleagues, who will deeply miss his presence in the entertainment industry.

The impact of Burrows' death will be felt across the entertainment industry, as he leaves behind a legacy of laughter and iconic TV shows. His work continues to inspire new generations of directors, writers, and actors, and his influence will be remembered for years to come. As the entertainment industry mourns the loss of a legend, it also celebrates the incredible body of work he left behind, a testament to his talent, dedication, and passion for his craft.