James Burrows, the American television director whose work on sitcoms including Cheers and Friends defined the genre for two decades, has died. He was 85.
His death was confirmed by a spokesperson for his production company, who said he passed away peacefully at his home in Los Angeles. The cause of death has not been disclosed.
Burrows, the son of the celebrated playwright and director Abe Burrows, began his career in theatre before moving into television. He directed episodes of The Mary Tyler Moore Show and Taxi, but it was his work on Cheers, which he co-created and directed for much of its run, that cemented his reputation. The show, set in a Boston bar, won 28 Primetime Emmy Awards and became a cultural phenomenon. Burrows directed the pilot and the final episode, among many others.
He later directed the pilot of Friends, a show that became one of the most-watched in television history. His distinctive style, which emphasised character-driven humour and ensemble chemistry, influenced a generation of comedy directors. He also directed the pilots of Frasier, Will & Grace, and The Big Bang Theory.
Tributes have come from British television figures who worked with him or admired his work. Sir David Jason, who starred in Only Fools and Horses, said Burrows “set the standard for sitcom direction. He knew how to let the comedy breathe.” Ben Elton, the writer and comedian, described him as “the master of the American sitcom. No one understood comic timing better.” Dawn French, who collaborated with Burrows on a US remake of The Vicar of Dibley, called him “a gentle giant of comedy. He made everyone feel relaxed and valued.”
Burrows received multiple Emmy Awards and a lifetime achievement award from the Directors Guild of America. He continued to work into his eighties, directing episodes of recent shows such as The Ranch and The Great Indoors.
He is survived by his wife, Debbie, and their two children.
