R.I.P. – ‘Cheers’ Co-Creator and Prolific Television Director James Burrows Passes Away at 85
“For more than five decades, Burrows was one of the most influential and beloved directors in television history.”
James Burrows, the co-creator of the classic sitcom “Cheers,” has passed away at the age of 85. Conservatives often complain about the entertainment industry, as I certainly have, so we should speak up when someone who created something good is in the news.
If you have watched television in the last 50 years, you have likely watched more than one show that was created, produced, or directed by Burrows. He was in a class all by himself.
CBS News reports:
James Burrows, co-creator of “Cheers” and prolific director, dies at 85
James Burrows, the co-creator of “Cheers” and prolific television director who worked on hits including “Will & Grace,” “Frasier” and “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” has died. He was 85 years old.
His family confirmed in a statement Friday that Burrows “passed away peacefully today surrounded by his loving family.” A cause of death was not immediately available.
“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,” the Burrows family said.
Burrows was born in California and raised in New York, where he began working in the city’s theater scene. His first job on television was directing episodes of “The Mary Tyler Moore Show.”
Burrows would go on to direct more than 1,000 episodes of TV, including every episode of the original “Will & Grace,” and is credited with having helped create shows including “Friends,” “Taxi” and “Frasier.” Other shows he directed included “The Big Bang Theory” and “Two and a Half Men,” both of which aired on CBS. He also directed episodes of the recent Paramount+ revival of “Frasier.”…
“But beyond his remarkable achievements, Burrows will be remembered for something even greater: his kindness, generosity, and unwavering belief in the people around him,” his family said in its statement. “He possessed a rare ability to make everyone better and was known for remembering every person he met by name, making colleagues at every level feel seen, valued, and appreciated.”
In this video, Burrows talks about the casting of Ted Danson and Shelley Long on “Cheers.”
Here, Burrows discusses his involvement with “Taxi,” which is, in my opinion, the best sitcom ever made.
Finally, the story behind the “Cheers” theme song.
James Burrows, co-creator/producer/writer of CHEERS, explains the origin of the show's iconic theme song 🍻 Rest in peace to this tv legend. pic.twitter.com/j4UtUMFFbH
— Todd Spence (@Todd_Spence) June 19, 2026
What an amazing body of work this man has left behind. All top-level, quality entertainment.
Thank you for the laughs, sir.
Featured image via YouTube.
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Comments
He lived a long life well.
Taxi may have been the best sitcom ever made. I think it’s neck-and-neck with The Andy Griffith Show.
Oberlin ’62 grad. Met him at an alumini function years ago. I asked him if a lot of the Cheers material was lifted from 12-step meetings because there was a lot of alcohological thinking going on in the scripts. He just said “yes.” My all-time favorite was Norm saying “Every day I come into this bar, sit on this stoll, drink beer, and try to figure out why my marriage isn’t working.” Just perfect.