NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 08: James Burrows attends a conversation David Schwimmer at The 92nd Street Y, New York on June 08, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Dominik Bindl/Getty Images)Getty ImagesJames Burrows, a multiple Emmy winner who co-created the classic sitcom Cheers and directed several episodes of Friends, Frasier, Will & Grace and dozens of other hit series, has died.Burrows died in his sleep early Friday after a brief illness, according to Deadline. He was 85.ForbesTay Keith, Grammy Nominee Who Produced Travis Scott And Drake, Dies At 29By Tim Lammers“Jimmy was the greatest comedic television director in the history of the medium,” Burrows’ longtime agent Rick Rosen told Deadline. “He directed the most iconic, defining shows of generations. Always a gentleman, it was an absolute honor to represent him.”In addition to directing the likes of Ted Danson, Shelly Long, George Wendt, John Ratzenberger, Kelsey Grammer and Woody Harrelson on Cheers, Burrows was an executive producer on such hit series as Will & Grace and Mike & Molly. MORE FOR YOU“We celebrate the extraordinary life and enduring legacy of James ‘Jimmy’ Burrows, who passed away peacefully today surrounded by his loving family,” Burrows’ family said in a statement issued to People on Friday. "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."ForbesDaveigh Chase, ‘The Ring’ And ‘Lilo & Stitch’ Star, Dies At 35By Tim LammersBurrows was a prolific director, as his family noted in the statement to People that he had directed more than 1,000 TV episodes. He directed 236 episodes throughout the 11 seasons of Cheers, which ran on NBC from 1982 to 1993. Burrows also directed 246 episodes over the 11 seasons of Eric McCormack and Debra Messing’s Will & Grace on NBC, which included the revival of the series from 2017 to 2019.On ABC, Burrows directed 75 episodes of the network’s hit sitcom Taxi — starring Judd Hirsch, Andy Kaufman, Marilu Henner, Tony Danza, Jeff Conaway and Danny DeVito — throughout the show’s first four seasons from 1978 to 1982.Burrows also directed 15 episodes of the hit NBC sitcom Friends from 1994 to 1998 and 21 episodes of NBC’s Caroline in the City from 1995 to 1998. More recently, Burrows directed four episodes of the revival of Grammer’s sitcom Frasier, which ran for two seasons on Paramount+ from 2023 to 2024. ForbesWalter Parazaider, Founding Member Of Chicago, Dies At 81By Tim LammersBurrows had previously directed 32 episodes of Frasier, which originated on NBC, from 1993 to 1997.Los Angeles - MAY 1986: Legendary writer and television.producer James Burrows poses for a portrait in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Aaron Rapoport/Corbis/Getty Images)Getty ImagesJames Burrows’ TV Career Kicked Off In 1975Born Dec. 30, 1940, in Los Angeles, James Burrows career in television began in 1974 as a director on an episode of James L. Brooks and Allan Burns’ legendary sitcom The Mary Tyler Moore Show. Burrows directed three more episodes of the series through 1975.Note: This is a developing story. Please refresh this page for updates.