James Burrows, co-creator of “Cheers” and prolific TV director, dies at 85

James Burrows, a television director and co-creator of the sitcom “Cheers,” has died at age 85, CBS News reported on June 19, 2026.

CBS News said Burrows directed more than 1,000 episodes of television across a career that spanned multiple series and generations of viewers. The report also credited him with directing every episode of the original run of “Will & Grace.”

“Cheers,” which Burrows co-created, ran for years as a mainstream workplace sitcom and helped establish what would become a durable model for character-driven ensemble comedy. Burrows’ later work as a director reinforced his reputation for guiding tightly paced performances and long-running storylines.

In “Will & Grace,” a series built around recurring characters and scene-to-scene comedic timing, CBS News reported that Burrows directed the complete original run. For audiences, that level of consistent direction meant the show’s look, rhythms, and editing patterns remained anchored to a single creative vision throughout its first era.

Burrows’ credit list reflects a practical reality of broadcast and syndication television: directors often serve as the steady hand that keeps episodes consistent week to week while accommodating actors’ schedules, changing scripts, and the logistical demands of studio production. The scale of Burrows’ directing work, as described by CBS News, places him among the best-known figures in the medium’s behind-the-camera craft.

CBS News did not describe the cause of death in the information provided in the report referenced for this story. Further details about survivors, memorial arrangements, or studio tributes were not included in the material used here.

In the wake of his death, broadcasters, streaming platforms, and industry groups that licensed or distributed his work are likely to continue airing or cataloging the series he directed. Viewers may also revisit “Cheers” and “Will & Grace,” including the episodes credited to Burrows throughout each series’ original runs.