James Burrows, Director of Classic TV Comedies Including ‘Cheers’ and ‘Friends,’ Dies at 85

James Burrows, the director and executive producer of, "Mid-Century Modern," poses at the premiere of the Hulu series at the Directors Guild of America in Los Angeles on March 25, 2025. Chris Pizzello/AP Photo

LOS ANGELES—James Burrows, who helped create volumes of laughter as director of more than a thousand episodes of such classic television comedies as “Cheers,” “Taxi,” “Friends” and “Will and Grace,” died Friday. He was 85.

His family confirmed his death in a statement to People, saying he “passed away peacefully today surrounded by his family.” No location or cause of death was provided.