All articles tagged with #james burrows
James Burrows, the legendary director behind Cheers and a longtime force on Friends, Will & Grace, and The Big Bang Theory, has died at 85. Over a 50-plus-year career he earned 11 Emmy Awards and five Directors Guild of America Awards, earning praise as a generous mentor and the 'man behind the curtain' of countless beloved sitcoms.
James Burrows, the influential TV comedy director who co-created Cheers and directed every episode of Will & Grace, died at 85 surrounded by family. Over a career spanning decades, he shaped generations of sitcoms, earned 11 Primetime Emmys and five Directors Guild of America awards, and mentored iconic casts such as Friends. Tributes from colleagues underscored his kindness and impact on the industry.
James Burrows, the legendary multi‑camera sitcom director who co‑created Cheers and steered hits like Taxi, Friends, Will & Grace and The Big Bang Theory, died at 85. A master of working with actors and live audiences, Burrows directed hundreds of episodes over more than five decades, earned 11 Emmy wins (and seven overall including a lifetime achievement) and helped define modern TV comedy; he is survived by his second wife Debbie Easton, four daughters and seven grandchildren.
James Burrows, the prolific TV director who co-created Cheers and directed shows like Taxi and Will & Grace, died at age 85. A pioneering multi-camera director who mentored generations of actors and helmers, Burrows won 11 Emmys and directed hundreds of series. He was celebrated with a Directors Guild of America lifetime achievement award in 2014 and directed every episode of Will & Grace, cementing his status as television’s preeminent sitcom director. He is survived by his second wife, Debbie Easton, and three children from his first marriage.
James Burrows, the legendary TV director who co-created Cheers and directed Will & Grace, has died at 85. Over a 50-year career he directed more than 1,000 episodes and helped shape multiple iconic series, including The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Taxi, Frasier, Friends, and The Big Bang Theory, even directing the Friends pilot and 237 Cheers episodes. Tributes celebrate his mentorship, generosity, and pivotal role in modern television comedy. He is survived by his wife Debbie Easton, four daughters, and seven grandchildren.
James Burrows, the director of Friends, revealed in an interview that the cast of the iconic sitcom was "destroyed" by the unexpected death of Matthew Perry, likening it to "a brother dying." Burrows directed several episodes of Friends and described Perry as a wonderful actor and a dear friend. The castmates, Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer, had previously issued a joint statement expressing their devastation over Perry's passing. The cause of Perry's death has yet to be determined.
Friends director James Burrows mourns the loss of actor Matthew Perry, saying the cast was "destroyed" by his death. Burrows recalls Perry's inventive and funny performance as Chandler Bing, noting his similarities to the character. He also mentions a memorable episode and Perry's struggles with addiction, expressing pride in his recovery.
Kelsey Grammer returns as Frasier Crane in the Paramount+ comedy series "Frasier," with renowned TV producer and director James Burrows directing the first two episodes. The new series brings Frasier back to Boston, where his character originated in the hit show "Cheers." While there may not be many crossovers from the original series, the legacy of "Cheers" continues through Grammer's portrayal of Frasier. Burrows praises the new cast members and hopes that Frasier's story will ultimately end in a happy place.
James Burrows, a veteran director of multicamera sitcoms, is returning to helm the new "Frasier" series on Paramount+. Burrows, known for his work on shows like "Cheers" and "Friends," directed the original "Frasier" pilot in 1993. The new series, which Burrows prefers to call a continuation rather than a reboot, sees Frasier Crane back in Boston trying to reconnect with his son. While the original cast members are not regulars, some will make guest appearances. Burrows discusses his instinct for comedy, his preference for multicamera sitcoms, and the decline of funny sitcoms in recent years.
Friends director James Burrows revealed in his memoir that Helen Baxendale, who played Ross Geller's wife Emily on the show, was nearly recast due to her lack of chemistry with David Schwimmer and her perceived lack of humor. Burrows believed that the success of Ross and Rachel's relationship was due in part to their comedic chemistry. However, tight shooting deadlines prevented a recasting, and Emily's character was eventually written off the show.