‘Cheers’ co-Creator James Burrows dead at 85

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Published Jun 20, 2026  •  Last updated 15 minutes ago  •  1 minute read

Television sitcom director and co-creator James Burrows has died at 85. Photo by Amy Sussman /GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP/File

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Director and television creator James Burrows, who worked behind the scenes on “Friends,” “Cheers,” “Taxi,” and many other beloved comedies, has died, People magazine reported on Friday. He was 85.

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“We celebrate the extraordinary life and enduring legacy of James ‘Jimmy’ Burrows, who passed away peacefully today surrounded by his loving family,” his family said in a statement. The time and place of his death were not disclosed.

Burrows won 11 Emmy awards for excellence in television and helmed more than 1,000 episodes of hit programs, working as a director, producer and writer.

Burrows was among the early innovators of the multi-camera sitcom — short for situation comedy — when his prolific career began in the 1970s, directing episodes of “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” “Laverne & Shirley” and “The Bob Newhart Show.”

His first Emmy came for directing “Taxi,” a groundbreaking comedy starring Danny DeVito, Andy Kaufman and Tony Danza, about the rough and tumble staff of a New York City taxicab company.

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He directed 236 episodes and also co-created “Cheers” with longtime collaborator James Brooks, as well as its spin-off “Frasier.” His other hit shows include “The Big Bang Theory,” “Mike & Molly,” and “3rd Rock from the Sun.”

Recently, Burrows took a rare step in front of the camera and starred as himself in “The Comeback,” reuniting with “Friends” star Lisa Kudrow for a show that pokes fun at life behind the scenes working on a sitcom in Hollywood.

“For 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,” his family said.

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