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Throughout his prolific life, James Burrows shaped many of the most beloved sitcoms.
The iconic television director—best known for his work on Cheers, Friends and Will & Grace—died on June 19 at the age of 85, with his family confirming to People that he passed peacefully while surrounded by his loved ones.
"For more than five decades, Burrows was one of the most influential and beloved directors in television history,” they said in a statement to the outlet. “As a legendary director, mentor, and creative force, he helped shape generations of comedy and brought immeasurable joy to audiences around the world."
“Beyond his remarkable achievements, Burrows will be remembered for something even greater: his kindness, generosity, and unwavering belief in the people around him,” the statement continued. “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."
His family also noted how well the 11-time Emmy winner understood comedy, adding it was “never simply about laughter,” but about “humanity, connection, and truth”—which proved to be the formula for his success across the decades.
And while his work was certainly his passion, his family shared that “above all else, Burrows was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather” to wife Debbie Easton, his four daughters and his seven grandchildren.
The statement concluded, “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."
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Burrows—whose father Abe Burrows wrote the books for the musicals Guys and Dolls and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying—kicked off his television directing career in the 1970s, working on such iconic shows as The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Bob Newhart Show and Laverne & Shirley.
But it was work alongside Glen Charles and Les Charles on the sitcom Taxi—for which he won two Emmys—that would lead to the trio creating the classic series Cheers, which ran from 1982 to 1993 and picked up 28 Emmys along the way.
Throughout his career, he also directed classic shows like Frasier, Friends and Mike & Molly, as well as every episode of Will & Grace. His last credit was on the 2025 Hulu series Mid-Century Modern.
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