The comedy mind who helped create the legendary show Cheers has passed away. James Burrows, the talent behind numerous iconic shows broadcast to millions of viewers worldwide, has died aged 85.
A Legacy of Iconic Shows
Burrows was also instrumental in the creation of The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Taxi, Frasier, Friends, Will & Grace, and The Big Bang Theory. A statement issued by the Burrows family read: '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.'
The tribute continued: '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. 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 and Beyond
Burrows co-created Cheers with brothers Les and Glen Charles. The show first aired in 1982 and ran for 275 episodes, almost all of which were directed by James. The sitcom still regularly airs today. He went on to work on Frasier, the Cheers spin-off that made Kelsey Grammer an even bigger star. Burrows, who won 11 Primetime Emmy Awards and five Directors Guild of America Awards, also directed 15 episodes of Friends.
He appeared as a director of the film Joey gets a role in for the Friends episode 'The One With the Butt' and as a version of himself in Lisa Kudrow's comedy The Comeback. Burrows, who was married to hairstylist Debbie Easton, leaves behind three daughters and one stepdaughter.
