James Burrows, the co-creator of 'Cheers' and director of over 1,000 TV episodes, has died at age 85, his family announced Friday to People. He passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones.
For six decades, Burrows directed television comedy. The son of Broadway legend Abe Burrows, he co-created and shaped 'Cheers' and mentored generations of writers and performers.
Burrows co-created 'Cheers' with brothers Glen and Les Charles in 1982 and directed 240 of the show's 275 episodes, winning the Outstanding Comedy Series Emmy in 1983. He directed 75+ episodes of 'Taxi,' winning back-to-back Primetime Emmys for Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series. He helmed 15 episodes of 'Friends,' directed the 'Cheers' spinoff 'Frasier' (earning an Outstanding Director Emmy), and worked on 'Will & Grace,' 'The Big Bang Theory,' '3rd Rock From the Sun,' 'NewsRadio,' and dozens more.
His career began in theater. He met Mary Tyler Moore on the 1967 play 'Holly Golightly' and went on to direct 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show' and its spinoffs 'Rhoda' and 'Phyllis.'
"As a legendary director, mentor, and creative force, he helped shape generations of comedy," his family said in a statement.
