Legendary TV Director James Burrows Dies at 85

James Burrows — or Jimmy, as he was known on commentary tracks the world over — has died. He was 85. “We celebrate the extraordinary life and enduring legacy of James ‘Jimmy’ Burrows, who passed away peacefully today surrounded by his loving family,” his family wrote in a statement to People. As the director of almost every important four-camera pilot of the late 20th century, Burrows was the architect of the modern sitcom. Burrows co-created Cheers, and was instrumental in the early days of such shows as Frasier, Friends, Will & Grace, Dharma & Greg, 3rd Rock From the Sun, The Big Bang Theory, and NewsRadio. He was known for setting shows up for success. Famously, Burrows was the one who chartered a plane to Vegas for the cast of Friends, so they could hang out in public together for the last time before superstardom. (He did the same thing for the cast of The Class, to less prophetic effect.)

Burrows was born into showbiz. His father, Abe Burrows, co-wrote the books for Guys and Dolls and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. Though he was born in Los Angeles, his family moved to New York when he was a child. After getting a graduate degree from the Yale School of Drama, Burows returned to LA. He first met Mary Tyler Moore working as an assistant stage manager on her 1967 play Holly Golightly. She eventually helped him break into television, directing episodes of The Mary Tyler Moore Show and The Bob Newhart Show. 

Burrows directed over 70 episodes of Taxi, with writters Glen and Les Charles. The three went on to create Cheers, which Burrows directed all but 35 episodes of over 11 seasons. He earned six of his 11 Emmys for the show. He won another for directing the pilot of Cheers spinoff Frasier. It was on that show that he met (and eventually had a hand in firing) Lisa Kudrow. Kudrow was originally cast as Roz, but was replaced by Peri Gilpin. “For a while she didn’t like me,” Burrows said in Top of the Rock, Warren Littlefield’s oral history of NBC’s Must-See Thursday. “Then Friends came along. We’re good friends now.” Burrows directed the pilot of Friends, and another dozen or so eps in the first season. You can tell it’s a Burrows episode if Monica and Rachel’s apartment has a support beam in the foreground, delineating the space between the kitchen and living room.

Burrows served as one of the producers on Will & Grace, and directed every episode of the show’s original run. “I’ll never forget on the pilot, one of the NBC executives came over to me and said, ‘Too many gay jokes,’” Burrows said in 2016. “I said, ‘If not here, then where?’” He received 12 Emmy nominations for his work on the show, winning one.

Burrows continued to champion the four-camera sitcom, even as single camera became more trendy. “I’m a theatre rat,” he told IndieWire in 2013. “I stage a play every week, a 20- to 25-minute play and then my camera comes in and covers it. I understand characters, I understand what’s funny, I understand the essence of keeping it moving and keeping the energy going. It’s all theatrical. If it doesn’t happen on that stage, it’s never gonna happen on film. You can cut it nine ways to Sunday, but nothing will work unless it works on that stage.” His last sitcom was 2025’s Mid-Century Modern, which earned Burrows his final Emmy nomination.

Burrows is survived by his wife Debbie, as well as his children and grandchildren. “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,” they told People. “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.”