'Friends' family in tears as cast remember beloved director James Burrows

Hollywood and TV royalty have been left heartbroken after the death of legendary director James Burrows, who has died aged 85, surrounded by his family.

Burrows, affectionately known across the industry as “Jimmy”, helped shape some of the biggest sitcoms ever made, including Friends, Cheers, Frasier, Will & Grace and The Big Bang Theory, directing more than 1,000 episodes over a glittering five-decade career.

Tributes have poured in from stars who worked closely with him, including Matt LeBlanc, David Schwimmer and Lisa Kudrow.

All remembered him as a warm, generous creative force who made actors feel safe, supported and at home on set.

LeBlanc said Burrows was a “true icon” whose influence was impossible to put into words, while Schwimmer described him as a mentor who “brought out the best in every actor” and made every show “funnier and more moving than anyone expected”. 

Kudrow also shared a heartfelt tribute alongside a behind-the-scenes photo from their time working together.

Stars from Will & Grace, including Debra Messing, Eric McCormack and Sean Hayes, also honoured the director, with Messing calling him a “singular talent” who treated cast members like family and “let us play, explore and fail”.

Burrows’ family confirmed he died peacefully and paid tribute to his extraordinary legacy, describing him as one of television’s most influential creative forces. 

Over his career, he collected 11 Emmy Awards and helped define the modern American sitcom, shaping the tone, rhythm and style of comedy still seen on screens today.

He is survived by his wife Debbie, his four daughters and seven grandchildren. 

His family said he would be “profoundly missed and forever remembered”, not only as a groundbreaking director, but as a devoted husband, father and grandfather whose work brought laughter into millions of homes worldwide.

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