James Burrows, co-creator of "Cheers" and prolific director, dies at 85
James Burrows, the co-creator of "Cheers" and prolific television director who worked on hits including "Will & Grace," "Frasier" and "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," has died. He was 85 years old.
His family confirmed in a statement Friday that Burrows "passed away peacefully today surrounded by his loving family." A cause of death was not immediately available.
"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," the Burrows family said.
Burrows was born in California and raised in New York, where he began working in the city's theater scene. His first job on television was directing episodes of "The Mary Tyler Moore Show."
Burrows would go on to direct more than 1,000 episodes of TV, including every episode of the original "Will & Grace," and is credited with having helped create shows including "Friends," "Taxi" and "Frasier." Other shows he directed included "The Big Bang Theory" and "Two and a Half Men," both of which aired on CBS. He also directed episodes of the recent Paramount+ revival of "Frasier."
Burrows was an 11-time Emmy Award winner. He received dozens of Emmy nominations, including a streak from 1980 to 1996, during which he was nominated every year. His most recent Emmy win was in 2020, when he was awarded the Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety Special (Live).
Burrows was also nominated for 15 Directors Guild of America Awards during his career, winning five.
In addition to his work behind the camera, Burrows occasionally made cameos in the episodes he directed, including appearing in the first season of "Friends" and in the "Will & Grace" revival. He also appeared in the HBO comedy "The Comeback," including in the show's recently aired third season.
"But beyond his remarkable achievements, Burrows will be remembered for something even greater: his kindness, generosity, and unwavering belief in the people around him," his family said in its statement. "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."
Burrows told CBS Los Angeles in 2022 that the most important thing in his career had been to "deliver funny" to audiences.
"The first thing you have to be is funny," Burrows said at the time.
His family said, "Burrows understood that great comedy was never simply about laughter. It was about humanity, connection, and truth. That understanding became the foundation of a career that forever changed television."
"His influence will continue to be felt for generations through the countless artists he inspired, the stories he helped tell, and the millions of people whose lives were brightened by his work."
Burrows is survived by his wife, stylist Debbie Easton, his four daughters and seven grandchildren. He "will be profoundly missed and forever remembered," the Burrows family said.
Burrows told CBS News Los Angeles that a conversation with Easton inspired his 2022 memoir.
"I kind of cut back on the work I'm doing, shows and stuff like that, and literally my wife came to me and says 'It's time for you to write a book,'" Burrows said. "And I said 'I don't have an angle or hook on the book.' She said, 'Write the book.'"
