James Burrowsthe acclaimed director and co-creator of the series Kafić uždravlje, has died at the age of 85, after a career that shaped some of the most beloved sitcoms of the past five decades.
Affectionately known as Jimmy to the many actors, writers and producers who worked with him, Burrows was behind the camera during the creation of numerous television hits, including Taxi, Cheers, Frasier, Friends, Will and Grace, Two and a Half Men and The Big Bang Theory.
His longtime agent, Rick Rosenpaid tribute to him in a press statement, saying, “Jimmy was the greatest comedy director on television in the history of the medium. He directed the most famous series that marked the lives of generations of viewers. He was always a true gentleman and it was a great honor to represent him.”
Burrows’ influence was particularly felt in the world of multi-camera sitcoms, where he had an uncanny instinct for casting, timing and creating the kind of on-screen chemistry essential to retaining audiences.
James Burrows he started his career in the theater, and in the 1970s he switched to television. He worked on legendary American series, including The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Bob Newhart Show and Laverne & Shirley.
But Taxi, and then Kafić for good health, cemented his status as one of the most important people in the world of television comedy.
With brothers Glen Charles and Les Charles he created the series Kafić udrazvod and directed 236 episodes of that long-running NBC hit. The series, set in a Boston bar, has become one of the most loved and praised television comedies, not only in the United States. She launched the careers of a number of stars, including Ted Danson, Shelley Long, Kelsey Grammer, Rhea Perlman and Woody Harrelson.
James Burrows he directed the critically important pilot episodes of a number of hit sitcoms, including Frasier, Friends, Will & Grace, The Third Pebble, Two and a Half Men, Mike and Molly, Girls Without Love, The Big Bang Theory and The Neighborhood.
His work on the series Will & Grace was particularly extensive: he directed all 246 episodes – both the first series and the sequel. He also directed 15 episodes of Friends, including the pilot episode that introduced Rachel, Ross, Monica, Chandler, Joey and Phoebe to the world. The great director and author won 11 Emmy awards during his career, and in 2006 he was inducted into the Hall of Fame of the Television Academy. He remained active well into the 1980s – most recently working on new installments of Will and Grace and Frasier and on Hulu’s comedy Mid-Century Modern.
In its tribute, NBC called him “the man behind the curtain,” adding, “He knew how to make us laugh, what buttons to push, and was an absolute master at making the most of every joke. Every time you smile while watching The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Taxi, Cheers, Will and Grace, Friends and countless other shows, remember Jimmy and know that he made our lives more fun.”
