Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleJames Burrows, pictured in LA in 2025 (Getty)James Burrows, co-creator of the sitcom Cheers and a prolific TV director, has died at the age of 85. His family announced he passed away peacefully on Friday, in a statement celebrating his “extraordinary life and enduring legacy”.Burrows was renowned for directing numerous hit series, including multiple episodes of Friends, Frasier, and Will & Grace. Throughout his more than 50-year career, he won 11 Emmy Awards, including six for his work on Cheers and two for Taxi. Inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 2006, Burrows is remembered as a “legendary director, mentor, and creative force”.In fullJames Burrows, co-creator of Cheers, dies aged 85Thank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
Tributes for ‘legendary’ Friends director James Burrows after death at 85
Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleJames Burrows, pictured in LA in 2025 (Getty)James Burrows, co-creator of the sitcom Cheers and a prolific TV director, has died at the age of 85. His family announced he passed away peacefully on Friday, in a statement celebrating his “extraordinary life and enduring legacy”.Burrows was renowned for directing numerous hit series, including multiple episodes of Friends, Frasier, and Will & Grace. Throughout his more than 50-year career, he won 11 Emmy Awards, including six for his work on Cheers and two for Taxi. Inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 2006, Burrows is remembered as a “legendary director, mentor, and creative force”.In fullJames Burrows, co-creator of Cheers, dies aged 85Thank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
James Burrows, Cheers co-creator and legendary sitcom director, died at 85 after crafting Friends, Frasier, and Will & Grace across 50 years and 11 Emmys. His production techniques and cast chemistry templates became industry gold standard, influencing how ensemble comedy is structured across all major broadcast networks.
