James Burrows, the prolific director who was at the helm of television’s preeminent sitcoms for more than 30 years, died Friday. He was 85 years old.
Burroughs’ family acknowledged his death in a statement to People magazine: “We honor the extraordinary life and enduring legacy of James “Jimmy” Burroughs, who passed away peacefully today surrounded by his loving family. Burroughs was one of the most influential and beloved directors in television history. A legendary director, mentor and creative force, he helped shape comedy for generations and brought immense joy to audiences around the world.”
Burrows won 11 Emmy Awards, starting with back-to-back comedy director trophies for ABC’s “Taxi” in 1980 and 1981.
He was known for his skill in directing pilots and working with actors, especially inexperienced actors like the stars of NBC’s “Friends.” He is also credited with opening up the world of sitcoms by adding a fourth camera to the classic three-camera setup.
Burroughs is the co-creator of NBC’s unforgettable barroom comedy “Cheers” with brothers Glen Charles and Les Charles, and directed every episode of NBC’s “Will & Grace” from 1998 to 2020.
In February 2016, NBC recognized a director and producer who achieved the sitcom’s 1,000th episode on November 24, 2015, during the production of the NBC sitcom Crowded, starring Carrie Preston, Patrick Warburton, and Stacey Keach. During the February 21 special, “Must See TV: An All-Star Salute to James Burroughs,” stars who appeared on his show over the years gathered at the taping of the memorial in Hollywood on January 24 to pay tribute to him. Who else besides Burrows, known simply as “Jimmy,” could bring in Ted Danson, Shelley Long, Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, David Schwimmer, Tony Danza, Danny DeVito, Christopher Lloyd, Melissa McCarthy, Sean Hayes, Debra Messing, Jim Parsons, Johnny Galecki, Kaley Cuoco, and John? Cryer and Charlie Sheen were under one roof for a common goal. It was about paying homage to someone who had played a key role in starting or furthering their career, and in many cases, padding their bank accounts with steady syndicated payments.
NBC devoted two hours of its Sunday real estate show to saluting the director, reinforcing Burroughs’ unique position in the industry. His influence extends from the style he brought to the show to the guidance he provided to generations of helmers.
Burroughs was the son of screenwriter and director Abe Burroughs, who wrote the books for such Broadway classics as “Guys and Dolls,” “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying,” and “Can Can.” James Burroughs was born in Los Angeles, where his father worked as a top radio comedy screenwriter, but soon the family moved to New York City. Burrows grew up immersed in the world of writers, actors, directors, and other creative talents, and was known as “Abe’s Kid” to family friends such as John Steinbeck, Edward Albee, and Truman Capote.
Burroughs was born in Los Angeles, but attended Gotham High School of Music and Arts, and later attended Oberlin College and Yale University School of Drama. He moved to Los Angeles after graduation and worked as a dialogue coach on Burl Ives’ short-lived comedy series OK Crackerby!, created by Abe Burroughs.
James Burroughs returned to New York and worked as a stage manager on the Broadway production of Breakfast at Tiffany’s, which his father and Albee produced. Burroughs had his first experience as a director during production. He then directed the touring play “40 Carats,” followed by other touring productions such as “Mr. Roberts” and “The Odd couple.”
By 1974, Burroughs’ reputation as a theater director led to offers from James L. Brooks and Alan Barnes to direct episodes of their “Mary Tyler Moore Show.” Since then, Burroughs has worked almost exclusively on the small screen. He directed more than 100 television series, was nominated for a record 22 Directors Guild Awards, and won the Plaque five times.
Other shows he worked on include “The Bob Newhart Show,” “Rhoda,” “The Betty White Show,” “Laverne & Shirley,” “Lou Grant,” “The Tony Randall Show,” “The Associates,” “The Stockard Channing Show,” “The Hogan Family,” “Night Court,” “Dear John,” “The Ladies Man,” “Wings,” and “Frasier.” “NewsRadio”, “Third Rock from the Sun”, “Pearl”, “Dharma & Greg”, “Caroline in the City”, “George & Leo”, “The Class”, “Courting Alex”, “Back to You”, “Two and a Half Men”, “The Big Bang Theory”, “Hank”, “Up All Night”, “Better with You”, “$#*! My Dad Says”, “2 “Broke” Girls,” “Partner,” “Mike & Molly,” and “The Mirrors.”
Burroughs’ only foray into film was the 1982 flop Partners, a Paramount comedy starring Ryan O’Neal as a cop who goes undercover to solve a series of murders with a gay police officer played by John Hurt.
In a Q&A held in 2013 as part of USC’s Comedy @ SCA festival, Burroughs said he has always felt it is important for directors to be involved in the creative process, even if they are joining existing duties for one-off episodic work.
“Don’t be a traffic cop, just go in there and say what you want to say,” Burrows said of his conversation with the clerk. “It only makes things better.”
But this man who probably spent more time on network television sitcoms than anyone else was humble about what it takes to produce a hit show.
In 2014, he was awarded the Directors Guild of America’s Lifetime Achievement Award for outstanding achievement in television directing.
Burrows was married to Linda Solomon from 1981 to 1993.
He and Solomon have three children together with his second wife, Debbie Easton, whom he married in 1997.
