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Television comedy has mislaid 1 of its astir influential originative forces, with legendary manager James Burrows passing distant connected Friday (June 19, 2026) astatine the property of 85.
Burrows' household confirmed his passing successful a connection shared with People magazine, celebrating his decades-long publication to television.
The connection read, "We observe the bonzer beingness and enduring bequest of James 'Jimmy' Burrows, who passed distant peacefully today, surrounded by his loving family. For much than 5 decades, Burrows was 1 of the astir influential and beloved directors successful tv history. As a legendary director, mentor, and originative force, helium helped signifier generations of drama and brought immeasurable joyousness to audiences astir the world."
Widely regarded arsenic 1 of television’s astir influential sitcom directors, Burrows spent much than 3 decades astatine the forefront of the genre, helping specify the modern TV drama format.
Over the people of his career, helium won 11 Emmy Awards, including back-to-back directing honours successful 1980 and 1981 for ABC’s Taxi’
Burrows was renowned for his quality to nonstop aviator episodes and nurture acting talent.
He earned peculiar praise for moving with young and inexperienced performers, including the formed of NBC’s Friends.
He was besides credited with expanding the accepted sitcom accumulation benignant by introducing a 4th camera to the classical three-camera setup.
Following the quality of his death, members of the iconic sitcom Friends formed paid affectional tributes, remembering his mentorship, warmth, and lasting interaction connected their careers.
Among the astir salient tributes, Matt LeBlanc shared nostalgic photographs with Burrows and wrote, "Jimmy, words cannot picture the interaction and power you had connected america and everyone who was fortunate capable to person known you. You sir, are a existent icon connected truthful galore levels. Well wishes successful your adjacent act. You volition beryllium missed. God Bless"
David Schwimmer besides honoured the director, describing him arsenic a mentor and begetter figure. In his message, Schwimmer said, "Jimmy Burrows brought retired the champion successful each histrion helium ever worked with, and elevated each amusement helium directed, making it funnier and much moving than anyone expected. His warmth, humility and generosity made america consciousness safe, similar family, and I'm definite we weren't the lone formed to consciousness that way. He looked retired for us, connected camera and off. He became different Father fig for me, and I'm definite others. Paternal successful the champion consciousness of the word: Loving, wise, encouraging, challenging, instructive, patient, inspiring, playful, and connected my champion days, I'd similar to think, adjacent proud."
He added, "Thousands of writers, actors, producers, unit members and web execs are everlastingly blessed to person been connected a dependable signifier with him, watching him enactment and learning from his incomparable talent. Jimmy, I miss you already, and I'm everlastingly grateful to you. Thank you for being specified a fantastic director, mentor and friend. Sending emotion and spot to Deb and the full family."
Meanwhile, Lisa Kudrow remembered the celebrated manager by sharing a photograph with him connected her Instagram Stories.
Burrows near down an unmatched bequest crossed immoderate of television's astir celebrated sitcoms. He directed each episodes of 'Will and Grace' and much than 230 episodes of 'Cheers', which helium besides co-created alongside Glen and Les Charles.
Burrows was joined to Linda Solomon from 1981 to 1993. He is survived by his 2nd wife, Debbie Easton, whom helium joined successful 1997, and 3 children from his archetypal marriage.
