James Burrows, director of classic TV comedies including 'Cheers' and 'Friends,' dies at 85
Source: AP
By BETH HARRIS
Updated 3:28 PM CDT, June 19, 2026
LOS ANGELES (AP) — James Burrows, who helped create volumes of laughter as director of more than a thousand episodes of such classic television comedies as “Cheers,” “Taxi,” “Friends” and “Will and Grace,” died Friday. He was 85.
His family confirmed his death in a statement to People, saying he “passed away peacefully today surrounded by his family.” No location or cause of death was provided.
Burrows spent his career behind the camera specializing in situation comedies. Few viewers recognized him or knew his name, other than to see it flash quickly on the screen in the opening credits. But they knew his work.
Burrows got his start in television relatively late at age 35 in 1974, directing episodes of “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” “The Bob Newhart Show,” and “Laverne & Shirley.”
Read more: https://apnews.com/article/james-burrows-obituary-80b0422bd2268e2aa8fb4b47755eda31
Marta and I have autographs from the last show cast party including the pass to the event. One of our favorites!
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