James Burrows, the television director whose Midas touch shaped some of the most beloved sitcoms in American history, has died at the age of 85. Burrows, who directed the pilot episodes of Cheers, Friends, and Taxi, leaves behind a legacy of warmth and laughter that defined an era of TV.
Burrows was born in Los Angeles in 1940, the son of Abe Burrows, a celebrated writer and director. He found his calling behind the camera, working on shows like The Mary Tyler Moore Show and The Bob Newhart Show before creating Cheers in 1982. The show, set in a Boston bar where everyone knows your name, ran for 11 seasons and won multiple Emmys. Burrows directed 24 episodes and was known for his visual style that used the bar's space to create intimate moments.
His most influential work came in 1994 with Friends. Burrows directed the pilot, which introduced six young friends in New York. The show became a global phenomenon. Burrows said in a 2016 interview: 'I knew it was special the moment we read it. The chemistry was instant.' He directed 15 episodes and was a creative force behind the scenes.
Burrows was a workers' director in the truest sense. He believed in ensemble casts and collaborative sets. He once said: 'A show is a team. Everyone matters from the writers to the lighting crew.' The Writers Guild of America gave him its highest honour in 2012.
Fans and colleagues mourned. Kelsey Grammer, star of Cheers, said: 'He was a father to us all. He taught me how to find the truth in a joke.' Lisa Kudrow of Friends called him 'a master of comedy and humanity.'
Burrows' death is a loss for the entertainment industry. But his shows will remain a comfort for generations. As he put it: 'The job is to make people forget their troubles for 22 minutes.' He did that for millions.
