TV director James Burrows had a long and very successful career in Hollywood. He worked on iconic shows including Cheers, Friends, Frasier, Third Rock from the Sun, Will and Grace and Taxi, but it all started when he worked on his very first show, The Mary Tyler Moore Show.
Sadly, Burrows has died at the age of 85 years old. In a statement shared with PEOPLE on June 19th, his family explains, “We celebrate the extraordinary life and enduring legacy of James ‘Jimmy’ Burrows, who passed away peacefully today surrounded by his loving family.” His family added, “For more than five decades, Burrows was one of the most influential and beloved directors in television history. As a legendary director, mentor, and creative force, he helped shape generations of comedy and brought immeasurable joy to audiences around the world.”
The statement continues, “Over the course of his unparalleled career, Burrows directed more than 1,000 episodes of television and was instrumental in creating some of the most iconic series ever produced, including The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Taxi, Cheers, Frasier, Friends, Will & Grace, and The Big Bang Theory, among many others.”
His family added, “But beyond his remarkable achievements, Burrows will be remembered for something even greater: his kindness, generosity, and unwavering belief in the people around him. He possessed a rare ability to make everyone better and was known for remembering every person he met by name, making colleagues at every level feel seen, valued, and appreciated.”
The statement goes on, “Burrows understood that great comedy was never simply about laughter. It was about humanity, connection, and truth. That understanding became the foundation of a career that forever changed television.” His family shared, “His influence will continue to be felt for generations through the countless artists he inspired, the stories he helped tell, and the millions of people whose lives were brightened by his work.”
At the end of the statement, his family wrote, “Above all else, Burrows was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He is survived by his beloved wife, Debbie, his four daughters, and his seven grandchildren. He will be profoundly missed and forever remembered. Our thoughts are with Debbie, his children and grandchildren, his family, friends, collaborators, and all those whose lives he touched. May his memory be a blessing.
Burrows was born in Los Angeles in 1940, moved to New York with his family where he attended the High School of Music & Art. He continued his education at Oberlin College and went on to get his graduate degree from the Yale School of Drama. Then he moved back to California where he met Mary Tyler Moore while working as an assistant stage manager on the play Holly Golightly. He later wrote Moore a letter asking if she had any work for him, and that’s how he got hired as a director on the Mary Tyler Moore Show. His career continued from there.
Upon hearing the news of his death, actor Jesse Tyler wrote a tribute to Burrows on Instagram thanking him for helping him get his start. He shared, “Twenty years ago, Jimmy Burrows gave me my first job on television. I was incredibly intimidated to be in front of a camera, but Jimmy immediately put me at ease with his patience, generosity, and mentorship.”
He wrapped up the lengthy caption by writing to Burrows, “I’m so grateful I had the chance to know you, Jimmy. And I feel incredibly lucky to have played even a small part in your remarkable legacy.”
Watch the video below to learn more about Burrows’ career and the sad news of this death.
