FILE - James Burrows arrives at The Television Academy presents an evening honoring James Burrows held at Academy of Television Arts & Sciences on October 7, 2013 in North Hollywood, California. (Photo by Michael Tran/FilmMagic)
LOS ANGELES - James Burrows, the co-creator of the wildly popular TV sitcom, "Cheers," and director of many beloved shows such as "Will and Grace," has died, according to multiple reports.
He was 85 years old.
What they're saying:
"We celebrate the extraordinary life and enduring legacy of James 'Jimmy' Burrows, who passed away peacefully today surrounded by his loving family," the Burrows family shared in a statement to People on June 19. "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."
Burrows passed away after a brief illness, Deadline reported.
Dig deeper:
Burrows amassed dozens of Emmy nominations and was given a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015 for his many contributions to iconic series and TV movies.
Some of the projects he’s worked on included:
- "The Big Bang Theory"
- "Friends"
- "Fraiser"
- "Cheers"
- "The Mary Tyler Moore Show"
- "Laverne & Shirley
- "Night Court"
- "Taxi"
- "Wings"
Burrows is survived by his wife, Debbi, four daughters, and his seven grandchildren.
The Source: Information for this article was taken from reporting by People magazine, Deadline, and The Hollywood Reporter. IMDB also contributed. This story was reported from San Jose.