James Burrows, Legendary Sitcom Director, Dies at 85

James Burrows, the prolific television director renowned for creating laughter through classic sitcoms like 'Cheers', 'Friends', and 'Will & Grace', has died at age 85. His family confirmed his death in a statement to People, saying he 'passed away peacefully today surrounded by his family.' The cause and location of his death were not disclosed.

Burrows spent his career behind the camera, specializing in situation comedies. Although few viewers recognized him by name, they knew his work through the more than 1,000 episodes he directed. He 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'. Burrows co-created Cheers, directing 236 of its 273 episodes, as well as all 246 episodes of Will & Grace. He 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'.

In his 2022 memoir, 'Directed by James Burrows,' he wrote about his approach to directing: '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.' His family described him as someone who understood that great comedy was never simply about laughter but also about humanity, connection, and truth. Beyond his remarkable achievements, they remembered him for his kindness, generosity, and unwavering belief in the people around him.

Burrows took an unusual approach to fostering cast chemistry. For 'Friends,' he famously took the entire cast to Las Vegas before the show's premiere to build bonds among actors who would soon become household names. This method reflected his philosophy of creating television families that extended to both the cast and audience members.

Burrows was born James Edward Burrows on December 30, 1940, in Los Angeles and moved to New York when he was five years old. He spent five years in the Metropolitan Opera Children's Chorus until his voice started to change. His father, Abe Burrows, was a writer, director, and producer known for Broadway hits like 'Guys and Dolls' and 'Can-Can'. The younger Burrows attended LaGuardia High School of Music & Art, earned a bachelor's degree from Oberlin College, and completed a graduate program at the Yale School of Drama. At Yale, he was required to take directing classes and became hooked on the craft.

Burrows is survived by his wife Debbie Easton, whom he married in 1997, daughters Kat Schatzow, Ellie Gluck, Maggie Burrows from his first marriage to Linda Solomon, stepdaughter Paris from his wife's previous marriage, sister Laurie Burrows Grad, and seven grandchildren. His legacy as a pioneering director who shaped generations of comedy will continue to be celebrated by fans and colleagues alike.

Burrows' family released a public statement upon his death: '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.'

Burrows worked until the very end of his life, scoring the last of his 47 Emmy nominations in 2025 for directing the 'Mid-Century Modern' episode titled 'Here's To You, Mrs. Schneiderman.' He lost that night to Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, co-creators of 'The Studio,' who co-directed 'The Oner.'

The Los Angeles Times reported that the 1993 series finale of 'Cheers' — which Burrows directed — drew an estimated at 93 million people, according to NBC, making it the second most-watched program in TV history at the time. Only the final episode of 'MASH,' which aired in 1983, pulled a larger viewership with an estimated 121.6 million.