James Burrows, legendary sitcom director of 'Friends,' dies at 85
James Burrows, one of American television’s most influential creators, died on Saturday at age 85, surrounded by his family. Burrows was widely regarded as the most decorated and respected sitcom director in history, with credits on some of TV’s most enduring series, including "Friends," "Cheers," and "The Big Bang Theory."
Over a career spanning more than five decades, he directed more than 100 different series and won 11 Emmy Awards. He was especially known for shaping pilot episodes and for spotting and nurturing young talent, a skill that helped launch the early success of the "Friends" cast.
Burrows was born in Los Angeles and raised in New York, the son of playwright and screenwriter Abe Burrows, a major Broadway figure. He began in theater and moved into television in the mid-1970s, where he left a lasting mark.
In 2014, the Directors Guild of America gave him a lifetime achievement award. A year later, he reached a rare milestone by directing his 1,000th sitcom episode.
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