Sitcom Titan Dies
TV comedy legend behind Cheers and Friends has died at 85.
June 21, 2026 · Updated Jun 19, 11:01pm ET
SalonJames Burrows, legendary sitcom director, dies at 85
NPRJames Burrows, director of classic shows 'Cheers' and 'Friends,' dies at 85
The Daily Wire‘Cheers’ Creator James Burrows Dies At 85
Daily BeastTV Legend Behind ‘Cheers,’ ‘Friends’ and More Dies at 85
Associated PressJames Burrows, director of classic TV comedies including 'Cheers' and 'Friends,' dies at 85
Daily CallerLegendary Director Of 'Cheers,' 'Friends,' 'Will And Grace' Dead At 85
HuffPostLegendary TV Director James Burrows Dies
BBC NewsJames Burrows, legendary director of Cheers and Friends, dies aged 85
CBS NewsJames Burrows, co-creator of "Cheers" and prolific director, dies at 85
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What happened
James Burrows, the prolific television director and co-creator of “Cheers,” died Friday at 85, his family confirmed in a statement saying he passed away peacefully surrounded by relatives. Across more than five decades, Burrows directed more than 1,000 episodes of landmark sitcoms including “Cheers,” “Taxi,” “Friends,” “Will & Grace,” “Frasier” and “The Mary Tyler Moore Show.” He won 11 Emmy Awards, earned dozens of nominations and was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 2006, cementing his reputation as one of TV comedy’s defining creative forces. A cause of death was not immediately provided.