'Cheers' director James Burrows dies at 85
Legendary director James Burrows has died, his agent confirmed to ABC News on Friday. He was 85.
Burrows is known for directing some of the most iconic shows on television from "Cheers" and "Taxi" to "Will & Grace" and "Frasier."
Throughout his illustrious career, Burrows has won 11 Emmys and five Directors Guild of America Awards.
"Jimmy was the greatest comedic television director in the history of the medium," his agent Rick Rosen said in a statement. "He directed the most iconic, defining shows of generations. Always a gentleman, it was an absolute honor to represent him."
The Directors Guild of America also honored Burrows in 2015 with a lifetime achievement award. He was also inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 2006.
Born on Dec. 30, 1940, Burrows made his mark across many television shows in the mid 1970s, directing episodes for several television series in 1975 including "Paul Sand in Friends and Lovers," "Phyllis," "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" and "The Bob Newhart Show."
He also helmed episodes of "Laverne & Shirley," "The Betty White Show," "Rhoda" and more before a long stint as director for the TV sitcom "Taxi" in 1978.
Burrows directed the series, which focused on the everyday lives of New York City taxi drivers, for the first four seasons.
While speaking to the Television Academy in 2025, Burrows said his job as a director on the show was to "mold" the actors "into an ensemble."
"I'm not sure how much the actors learned from me, but I learned a lot about how to deal with people because of that show," he said.
Following "Taxi," Burrows continued to direct several TV shows and also the 1988 television movie "The Nerd" before directing "Cheers" in 1982. He was also a co-creator on the show, and directed 237 episodes.
In 2003, Burrows told Conan O'Brien that it was a "wonderful experience."
"It was so smooth, it was scary how the process went," Burrows said about the writing, cast and crew.
The show won a total of 28 Primetime Emmy Awards, with Burrows winning two for directing.
Burrows went on to direct more television shows after "Cheers" including "Frasier," "Will & Grace" and more.
When asked in an interview in 2003 by the Television Academy about how he wanted to be remembered, Burrows said, "That every night forever you can tune in somewhere and there'll be a show I did."
- ABC News' Andrea Dresdale contributed to this report.
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