James Burrows, one of American television’s most prolific and influential directors, died on Friday at the age of 85. He was widely regarded as the most decorated sitcom director in U.S. TV history and helped shape the genre in the second half of the 20th century.
Over a career spanning more than 100 television series, Burrows directed more than 1,000 episodes and was behind pilot episodes for hits including Friends, Frasier, Will & Grace and The Big Bang Theory. He also contributed to shows such as Cheers and Two and a Half Men. He won 11 Emmy Awards and five Directors Guild of America awards.
Burrows was known for his skill with pilot episodes and for working well with young, inexperienced actors. He was credited with helping establish Friends in its early years. In 2015, he reached the rare milestone of directing his 1,000th sitcom episode, and a year later NBC aired a tribute special with stars including Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Jim Parsons and Charlie Sheen.
Born in Los Angeles and raised in New York, Burrows began his career in theater before moving into television in the mid-1970s. In a 2013 interview, he said directors should be part of the creative process, not just manage the set: “Don’t be traffic cops, get in there and say what you want to say. It will only improve the result.” The next year he received a lifetime achievement award from the Directors Guild of America. He is survived by his wife Debbie, whom he married in 1997, and three children from his first marriage to Linda Solomon. His family said he died peacefully, surrounded by relatives.
