By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2026-06-19 19:29:11 | Updated at 2026-06-19 22:49:01
3 hours ago
Cheers co-creator James Burrows has died at the age of 85.
He also directed every episode of the original Will & Grace and contributed to Friends, Frasier and 3rd Rock From The Sun.
The showbiz veteran got his start with The Mary Tyler Moore Show then worked on Taxi.
The 11-time Emmy winner passed this week, his family confirmed in a statement to People.
'We celebrate the extraordinary life and enduring legacy of James "Jimmy" Burrows, who passed away peacefully today surrounded by his loving family,' the Burrows family shared.
Cheers co-creator James Burrows has died at the age of 85. He also directed several episodes of the smash hit sitcom Will & Grace and worked on Friends; seen with David Schwinner
Jennifer Aniston, Schwimmer, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry on Friends
'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.
'Over the course of his unparalleled career, Burrows directed more than 1,000 episodes of television and was instrumental in creating some of the most iconic series ever produced, including The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Taxi, Cheers, Frasier, Friends, Will & Grace, and The Big Bang Theory, among many others,' the statement continued.
'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.
Cheers with George Wendt, Shelley Long, Ted Danson, Rhea Perlman, Woody Harrelson, John Ratzenberger
He directed episodes of Will & Grace with Debra Messing and Sean Hayes
The showbiz veteran got his start with The Mary Tyler Moore Show; Moore with Betty White
'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 family wrote.
'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.'
The statement concluded, 'Above all else, Burrows was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He is survived by his beloved wife, Debbie, his four daughters, and his seven grandchildren. 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.'
Burrows' first job was as an assistant stage manager for the 1967 play Holly Golightly, where he met Mary Tyler Moore.
Later, her company hired him to direct episodes of Mary Tyler Moore and The Bob Newhart Show. Next he worked on the hit shows Phyllis, Rhoda and Laverne & Shirley.
Judd Hirsch, Marilu Henner, Christopher Lloyd), Danny DeVito), Tony Danza and Carol Kane) on Taxi
Burrows directed over 70 episodes of the sitcom Taxi, then came Cheers, which ran from 1982 to 1993.
When Cheers was spun off into Frasier in 1993, worked on that too.
One of his biggest hits is Friends which he said he knew would be a massive hit.
Burrows directed every episode of Will & Grace during its original run, from 1998 to 2006.
Burrows also directed the pilots of Two and a Half Men and The Big Bang Theory and contributed to Mike & Molly.
Burrows married Linda Solomon in 1981, had three kids and divorced in 1993. In 1997, he married Debbie Easton.
