James Burrows, the prolific television director behind iconic sitcoms including Cheers, Friends, and Will & Grace, died on Friday, June 19, at age 85. His family confirmed his death in a statement to People magazine, noting that he "passed away peacefully today surrounded by his family." No location or cause of death was provided.
Career
Burrows began his television career in 1965 as a dialogue coach on the series O.K. Crackerby! He received his first directing opportunity in 1974 on an episode of The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and subsequently directed episodes of The Bob Newhart Show and Laverne & Shirley.
He co-created the NBC sitcom Cheers with Glen and Les Charles in 1982 and directed 243 of its 273 episodes. He directed all 246 episodes of Will & Grace during its original run from 1998 to 2006. His other credits include directing multiple episodes of Taxi, Frasier, Friends, Mike & Molly, and 3rd Rock from the Sun. He also directed pilots for Two and a Half Men and The Big Bang Theory.
Burrows is credited with adding a fourth camera to the standard three-camera setup used in sitcoms. He reached a milestone of 1,000 directed sitcom episodes in November 2015.
Awards and Recognition
Burrows received 11 Primetime Emmy Awards, including back-to-back directing trophies for Taxi in 1980 and 1981. He also received five Directors Guild of America awards, including a lifetime achievement award in 2014. He was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 2006.
Background
James Burrows was born on December 30, 1940, in Los Angeles. He was the son of writer, director, and producer Abe Burrows. He moved to New York at age 5. Burrows earned a bachelor's degree from Oberlin College and attended the Yale School of Drama.
Survivors
Burrows is survived by his second wife, Debbie Easton, whom he married in 1997. He had three daughters from his first marriage to Linda Solomon (1981–1993): Kat Schatzow, Ellie Gluck, and Maggie Burrows. He also had a stepdaughter, Paris; a sister, Laurie Burrows Grad; and seven grandchildren. Linda Solomon died in 2004.
Statements
Several individuals and organizations commented on Burrows' death.
- Family statement: Burrows's family stated that he "understood that great comedy was never simply about laughter. It was about humanity, connection, and truth."
- NBC: Said: "Jimmy Burrows was the man behind the curtain. He knew how to make us laugh, what buttons to push and was the absolute master of getting the most out of every joke."
- Agent Rick Rosen: Called Burrows "the greatest comedic television director in the history of the medium" and "always a gentleman."
- Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman (Taxi): Stated Burrows was "the very best at his craft" and that his "positive spirit, boundless energy, and tireless work defined what it takes to run a show."
- Ted Danson (Cheers): Called Burrows "my show business father."
- Eric McCormack (Will & Grace): Described Burrows as "the 800-pound gorilla of television comedy for 50 years."
- Debra Messing (Will & Grace): Called Burrows a "singular talent and revolutionary of television."
- Matt LeBlanc (Friends): Called Burrows "a true icon on so many levels."
- David Schwimmer (Friends): Described Burrows as a mentor and father figure.
- Lisa Kudrow (Friends, The Comeback): Said, "Thank you Jimmy. I mean, for everything. I love you."
"He understood that great comedy was never simply about laughter. It was about humanity, connection, and truth."
— Burrows family statement