James Burrows, ‘Will & Grace’ director and ‘Cheers’ co-creator, dies at 85

James “Jimmy” Burrows, a television director who helmed episodes of major sitcoms including Will & Grace and who co-created Cheers, died on June 19 at age 85, according to an announcement reported by Page Six.

A statement attributed to Burrows’ family said he passed away “peacefully” surrounded by his loving family. The announcement described his career in television as leaving an “enduring legacy.”

Burrows became closely associated with the visual and performance rhythms of classic network comedy. His directing credits included Will & Grace, a long-running series that expanded the prominence of ensemble sitcom storytelling for mainstream audiences, and he was also identified in the report as a co-creator of Cheers.

Cheers, a signature multi-year success in American television comedy, helped establish the format and pacing that later sitcoms would build on. Burrows’ dual role as both a series co-creator and a director underscored his influence on both the development of comedic premises and the execution of episode-level craft, including scene staging and actor movement.

Burrows’ death prompted remembrances focused on his professional impact across decades of television production. The family’s statement framed the loss as both personal and public, emphasizing celebration of his life and the continuity of his work through the programs he shaped.

With Burrows now deceased, the next steps for audiences and industry participants will typically include the confirmation of details through additional statements from representatives, production entities, and union or guild channels, as well as updates to any planned screenings, memorials, or credits arrangements in upcoming broadcast or streaming schedules.

For viewers, the immediate effect is reflective rather than operational, given that Burrows’ major work is already in syndication and on streaming platforms. Still, directors and showrunners often influence how future home video releases, retrospective programming, and award recognitions are credited and documented, matters that can require careful verification after a major figure’s passing.