James Burrows, the 11-time Emmy Award winner and prolific television director known for his Midas touch when it came to sitcoms, has died. He was 85.
Burrows, who co-created Cheers and helmed all 246 episodes of Will & Grace during its two runs, died on Friday, 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. 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.”
A master of comic timing, Burrows was an expert at getting big laughs out of his performers and the material on the page. For more than 40 years, his talents made him one of the most in-demand directors in Hollywood. If you were making a half-hour comedy for television, you wanted Jim Burrows calling the shots.
“My mind is never a blank,” Burrows told The New York Times in a 1995 interview. “If something isn’t funny, I’ll try nine ways to make it funny. I won’t just quit on it. I’ll change the straight line to get more ideas or find a funny position for the actors.”
