James Burrows, Iconic TV Sitcom Director, Dies at 85

James Burrows, the man who shaped the sound and pacing of American sitcoms for five decades, died Friday, June 19, 2026, at age 85. A family statement released to PEOPLE said Burrows passed peacefully surrounded by his wife, Debbie, four daughters and seven grandchildren.

Burrows’ career spanned more than 50 years and included directing over 1,000 episodes of television, creating more than 50 pilots, and co‑creating the long‑running series Cheers. His work earned 11 Primetime Emmy Awards, five Directors Guild of America Awards, and a DGA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015.

Born in Los Angeles on December 30 1940, Burrows was the son of playwright and composer Abe Burrows, best known for the musical books of Guys and Dolls and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. The family moved to New York when he was a child, and he attended the High School of Music & Art. He graduated from Oberlin College and earned a graduate degree from Yale School of Drama.

Burrows’ first professional work was as an assistant stage manager for the 1967 play Holly Golightly, where he met Mary Tyler Moore. He later directed the short‑lived Broadway play The Castro Complex in 1970. In 1974 he began directing television, first for The Mary Tyler Moore Show and The Bob Newhart Show under the mentorship of MTM Enterprises. He went on to direct Phyllis, Rhoda and Laverne & Shirley, establishing himself as a master of the multi‑camera sitcom format.

Burrows’ most celebrated work includes the creation of Cheers (1982‑1993) with brothers Glen and Les Charles, and the direction of landmark series such as Taxi (1978‑1983), Frasier (1993‑2004), Friends (1994‑2004), Will & Grace (1998‑2006), and The Big Bang Theory (2007‑2019). He also directed episodes of The Bob Newhart Show, The Betty White Show, Night Court, Wings, NewsRadio, Two and a Half Men, 2 Broke Girls, Mike & Molly, and many others.

In the 2010s and 2020s Burrows continued to shape television through executive production of ABC specials Live in Front of a Studio Audience, which revived classic sitcoms such as All in the Family, The Jeffersons, Good Times, The Facts of Life and Diff'rent Strokes. He also directed the 2023‑2024 Frasier revival on Paramount+ and the 2017‑2020 Will & Grace revival on NBC. Burrows co‑founded 3 Sisters Entertainment, a joint venture with NBC, and directed more than 50 pilots during his career.

Reactions to his death have highlighted his influence on the industry. NBC issued a statement calling his loss “immeasurable” and noting his mastery of comedy timing. Tony Danza, who worked with Burrows on 75 episodes of Taxi, posted a tribute on X, saying, “We have lost the greatest of all time. Jimmy Burrows. I know I wouldn’t be here without him.” Colleagues and actors have praised Burrows for his kindness, generosity, and ability to make everyone feel seen and valued.

Burrows was survived by his wife, four daughters, and seven grandchildren. He was known for his humility and for remembering people by name. His legacy lives on through the countless episodes he directed, the shows he helped create, and the generations of writers, actors and directors he mentored.

Burrows’ death marks the end of an era for television comedy. His body of work continues to be broadcast worldwide, and his influence is evident in the structure and humor of contemporary sitcoms. The industry will continue to reference his techniques and standards as it moves forward.