The Friends team loses a new Central Perk legend
He has directed hundreds of episodes of cult series, including dozens of Friends. James Burrows is dead.
The world of American sitcoms is in mourning.
Director and producer James Burrows, an essential figure in American television and creator of some of the greatest comedies of the last fifty years, died Friday at the age of 85.
His family announced his disappearance in a press release:
“We celebrate the extraordinary life and enduring legacy of James ‘Jimmy’ Burrows, who passed away peacefully today surrounded by his loving family. For more than five decades, Burrows was one of the most influential and beloved directors in television history.”
Awarded 11 Emmy Awards, James Burrows was considered a master of the genre, particularly renowned for his talent in directing pilot episodes and guiding young, still inexperienced actors, notably those from Friends, whom he helped to reveal to the general public.
He is also the co-creator of Cheers, one of the most influential sitcoms in the history of American television, and directed all 246 episodes of Will & Grace between 1998 and 2020. He is also credited with a small technical revolution: the addition of a fourth camera to the traditional three-camera system of sitcoms.
In 2016, NBC paid tribute to him on the occasion of his thousandth sitcom episode produced. An exceptional evening brought together under one roof Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, David Schwimmer, but also Ted Danson, Danny DeVito, Jim Parsons, Kaley Cuoco and Charlie Sheen, all came to salute the man who had helped launch or shape their careers.
Tributes from his former collaborators have multiplied. Matt LeBlanc wrote: “Jimmy, words cannot describe the impact and influence you had on us and everyone who was lucky enough to know you. You are a true icon in every way. Safe journey to your next act. We will miss you. God bless you.”
For his part, David Schwimmer praised a man capable of bringing out the best in every actor: “Jimmy Burrows brought out the best in every actor he worked with, and made every show he made funnier and more moving than expected. His warmth, humility and generosity made us feel safe, like family. He took care of us, on and off screen.”
Lisa Kudrow, finally, simply shared a photo of the director on the set of Friends, accompanied by a sober visual tribute, reflecting their professional relationship. With the disappearance of James Burrows, an entire page of the American sitcom and the golden age of Friends is turning.
