00:00James Burroughs, the legendary sitcom director known for co-creating Cheers and directing Will and Grace, has died at the
00:06age of 85.
00:07His family confirmed the news in a statement to People, saying Burroughs passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones.
00:13They remembered him as one of the most influential figures in television history, whose work helped shape generations of comedy
00:19over a career spanning more than five decades.
00:21Burroughs directed more than 1,000 television episodes and worked on some of the most beloved sitcoms ever made, including
00:27The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Taxi, Cheers, Frasier, Friends, Will and Grace, and The Big Bang Theory.
00:34His family said that beyond his professional achievements, he will be remembered for his kindness, generosity, and belief in the
00:40people around him.
00:41They described him as someone who made everyone feel valued and understood that great comedy was about humanity, connection, and
00:47truth.
00:47He went on to become one of television's most celebrated directors, winning 11 Emmy Awards.
00:52He directed 237 episodes of Cheers and famously directed the pilot episode of Friends in 1994.
00:59In a 2023 interview, Burroughs recalled being immediately impressed by the chemistry between Jennifer Aniston, Courtney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt
01:06LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, and David Schwimmer, even though he joked they were simply the actors available at the time.
01:12The cast later reunited for NBC's 2016 tribute special, Must See TV, an all-star tribute to James Burroughs.
01:19During the special, Jennifer Aniston said Burroughs gave the cast the opportunity of a lifetime and taught them everything they
01:24knew about comedy timing and collaboration, calling him, quote, our papa.
01:29Actors and colleagues throughout the industry praised Burroughs not only for his talent, but also for his warmth and mentorship.
01:35In 2014, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Directors Guild of America, cementing a legacy that helped define
01:41modern television comedy.
01:43James Burroughs is survived by his wife, Debbie Easton, four daughters and seven grandchildren.
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