{"id":2467648,"date":"2026-06-19T21:47:28","date_gmt":"2026-06-19T21:47:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2467648"},"modified":"2026-06-19T21:47:28","modified_gmt":"2026-06-19T21:47:28","slug":"james-burrows-dead-at-85-cheers-cocreator-dies-after-illness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/james-burrows-dead-at-85-cheers-cocreator-dies-after-illness\/","title":{"rendered":"James Burrows Dead at 85: Cheers Cocreator Dies After Illness"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Hollywood is in mourning after TV legend James Burrows<\/strong> died at the age of 85.<\/p>\n

According to Deadline<\/span><\/a>, the celebrated director passed away in his sleep on Friday, June 19, after a brief illness.<\/p>\n

\u201cJimmy was the greatest comedic television director in the history of the medium,\u201d Burrows\u2019 longtime agent Rick Rosen<\/strong> said in a statement to the publication. \u201cHe directed the most iconic, defining shows of generations. Always a gentleman, it was an absolute honor to represent him.\u201d<\/p>\n

During his career, Burrows won 11 Emmys and worked on successful comedies, including Taxi<\/i>, Friends<\/i><\/span><\/a>, Frasier<\/i>, Two and a Half Men<\/i> and The Big Bang Theory<\/i>.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

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\n Related: <\/span>Celebrity Deaths of 2026<\/span><\/a>
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\n\t\t\tHollywood mourned the deaths of some of its most legendary stars in 2026. The year started off with Broadway performer and influencer Bret Hanna-Shuford\u2019s death at age 46. At the end of the month, comedy acting icon Catherine O\u2019Hara died at age 71. In February, Dawson\u2019s Creek actor James Van Der Beek died at age [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Most notably, he cocreated the hit series Cheers<\/i><\/span><\/a> and directed every episode of Will & Grace<\/i><\/span><\/a> during its original run.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe celebrate the extraordinary life and enduring legacy of James \u2018Jimmy\u2019 Burrows, who passed away peacefully today surrounded by his loving family,\u201d the Burrows family shared in a statement to People<\/i><\/span><\/a> on Friday. \u201cFor 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

While the Burrows family celebrated the director for working on more than 1,000 episodes of TV, they also praised the Hollywood star for his attitude away from any camera.<\/p>\n

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\n James Burrows, Eric McCormack<\/span> Courtesy of Eric McCormack\/Instagram<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cBeyond his remarkable achievements, Burrows will be remembered for something even greater: his kindness, generosity and unwavering belief in the people around him,\u201d the statement continued. \u201cHe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

He also was a devoted family man and married to his wife, Debbie Easton Burrows<\/strong>, since 1997. James \u2014 who was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 2006 \u2014 had four daughters and seven grandchildren.<\/p>\n

\u201cBurrows understood that great comedy was never simply about laughter. It was about humanity, connection and truth,\u201d his family statement read. \u201cHis 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. \u2026 He will be profoundly missed and forever remembered.\u201d<\/p>\n

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