James Burrows Dies At 85, Family Of 'Friends' Director, 'Cheers' Co-Creator Shares 'We Celebrate...'

The entertainment industry has lost yet another well-known face. A while ago, it was revealed that James Burrows had passed away. According to reports, he was 85 years old when he took his last breath. For those unaware, James has made a name for himself, having worked on hit shows like Will & Grace, Frasier, Friends, Taxi, and more. 

James Burrows' family reveals his death in a statement 

It was James Burrows' family who revealed that the legendary director had passed away. As of now, they have not revealed James' cause of death. In a statement shared on June 19, 2026 (ET), the family praised him and said:

"We celebrate the extraordinary life and enduring legacy of James 'Jimmy' Burrows, who passed away peacefully today, surrounded by his loving family. 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."

In the statement, the family called James's career unparalleled as he had directed over a thousand episodes of television. He also has a huge hand in creating some of the most iconic series like The Big Bang Theory, Friends, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Cheers, and Taxi, among others. However, that's not all that James was known for. His family shared:

"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."

The family claimed that James Burrows was someone who clearly understood that great comedy did not simply rely on laughter. Instead, it was about things like humanity, connection, and truth. And it was this understanding of James that helped him build a solid foundation for his career that had helped change the television landscape. Even after his death, James' influence will continue to be felt by the upcoming generations as he has inspired countless artists and touched the lives of millions of people with his work. His family concluded the statement by saying:

"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."

Fans react to the death of James Burrows

Over the years, James Burrows had established his own fanbase. Now, after hearing the tragic news of his demise, fans took to social media to share their tributes. One user wrote, “A true television legend, his legacy will live on through every episode he helped create.” Another wrote, “RIP to a TV legend. Burrows shaped the sitcom as we know it. Friends and Cheers wouldn’t hit the same without him.” A third user penned, “Oh no. Sending positive vibes to his family. Loved Cheers and Friends. May he rest in peace.” 

More about James Burrows 

James Burrows was born in Los Angeles in 1940. While he initially started out as an assistant stage manager, he began directing plays in the 1970s. During an interview in 2023, James revealed that he was a “theatre rat” rather than a film director. James' shift to TV came when he wrote to Mary Tyler Moore to ask if she had any work for him. After getting hired by her production company, MTM Enterprises, he went on to direct episodes of Mary Tyler Moore and The Bob Newhart Show. After finding success, he also went on to direct shows like Phyllis, Rhoda, and Laverne & Shirley. 

Photos Credit: Media/X, AP

May James Burrows rest in peace.

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