James Burrows, director of Cheers and Friends, dies at 85

James Burrows, the television director known for Cheers, Friends and Will & Grace, died Friday at age 85.

His family confirmed the death in a statement to People magazine, The Associated Press reported. They said they were celebrating his “extraordinary life and enduring legacy” and that he “passed away peacefully today surrounded by his loving family.”

The statement described Burrows as one of the most influential directors in television history. It said he directed more than 1,000 episodes and helped create some of the most iconic series in the medium.

Burrows earned his first major break directing episodes of The Mary Tyler Moore Show. That work led to a role as one of the principal directors of Taxi, for which he won his first two Emmy Awards. He later co-created Cheers and directed all but 35 of its 275 episodes, collecting six Emmys for the series.

He also directed the pilot and key episodes of Friends and every episode of Will & Grace. Other credits include Two and a Half Men, The Big Bang Theory, 2 Broke Girls and Frasier.

The family statement said Burrows would be remembered for his kindness and generosity. It noted that he made colleagues at every level feel valued and that he remembered every person he met by name.

Burrows received 11 Emmy Awards and five Directors Guild Awards during his career. He was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 2006.

Jennifer Aniston, whom Burrows directed on Friends, posted a tribute on Instagram. She called him “Papa Burrows” and wrote that he had been a father figure who checked in on her, celebrated her and guided her through difficult times.

Debra Messing, his star on Will & Grace, shared photos from the set on Instagram. She described him as “a singular talent and revolutionary in television” and said he changed her life 28 years ago.

Burrows is survived by his wife, Debbie, whom he married in 1997, and four daughters: Katherine, Margaret and Ellie with his first wife, Linda Solomon, and Paris, Debbie’s daughter from a previous relationship. He also leaves seven grandchildren.