James Burrows

James Burrows Headshot

Director

Birth Date: December 30, 1940

Age: 82 years old

Birth Place: Los Angeles, California

One of the most celebrated directors in television comedy history, James Burrows earned numerous Emmys for his crisp, fast-moving direction on such iconic series as "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" (CBS, 1970-77), "Taxi" (ABC/NBC, 1978-83), "Cheers" (NBC, 1982-93), which he also co-created, and "Will and Grace" (NBC, 1998-2006), among countless others. Burrows brought a quick-witted, theatrical pace to half-hour comedies that elevated them beyond the standard gags and banter to short plays that resonated with audiences beyond their weekly time slot. As a result, he became the go-to guy for both new and established shows to bring an element of style, wit and class to their seasonal lineup. In doing so, Burrows was among the most honored television directors in the medium's history and one of the few television directors average viewers recognized by name.

Credits

Live in Front of a Studio Audience: The Facts of Life and Diff'rent Strokes

Director
TV Show
2021

Live in Front of a Studio Audience: The Facts of Life and Diff'rent Strokes

Executive Producer
TV Show
2021

B PositiveStream

Director
TV Show
2020
85%

Live in Front of a Studio Audience: Norman Lear's All in the Family and The Jeffersons

Director
TV Show
2019

The NeighborhoodStream

Director
TV Show
2018

Will & Grace

Director
TV Show
2017

Will & Grace

Executive Producer
TV Show
2017

Will & Grace

Guest Star
Jimmy Burrows
TV Show
2017

The Paley Center Salutes the Best of Will & Grace

Guest
TV Show
2017

Daily Blast Live

Guest
TV Show
2017

The NinetiesStream

Self
TV Show
2017

Superior DonutsStream

Director
TV Show
2017
62%

Man With a PlanStream

Director
TV Show
2016

Harry

Guest
TV Show
2016

Crowded

Director
TV Show
2016
32%

Crowded

Executive Producer
TV Show
2016
32%

Must See TV: An All-Star Tribute to James Burrows

Guest
TV Show
2016

In Conversation

Guest
TV Show
2014

Friends With Better LivesStream

Director
TV Show
2014
13%

Sean Saves the World

Executive Producer
TV Show
2013

The MillersStream

Director
TV Show
2013
47%

Partners

Director
TV Show
2012

2 Broke GirlsStream

Director
TV Show
2011

$..! My Dad Says

Director
TV Show
2010
00%

Better With You

Director
TV Show
2010

Mike & MollyStream

Director
TV Show
2010

Romantically Challenged

Director
TV Show
2010

Romantically Challenged

Executive Producer
TV Show
2010

Gary UnmarriedStream

Director
TV Show
2008
24%

Gary UnmarriedStream

Executive Producer
TV Show
2008
24%

The Big Bang TheoryStream

Director
TV Show
2007
81%

Back to YouStream

Director
TV Show
2007
40%

The ClassStream

Director
TV Show
2006
44%

The ClassStream

Executive Producer
TV Show
2006
44%

The ComebackStream

Guest Star
Himself
TV Show
2005
73%

The Stones

Director
TV Show
2004

Tavis Smiley

Guest
TV Show
2004

Two and a Half MenStream

Director
TV Show
2003
65%

Jimmy Kimmel Live!Stream

Guest
TV Show
2003

Madigan Men

Director
TV Show
2000

Ted Danson: One Lucky Guy

Actor
Interviewee
TV Show
2000

Stark Raving Mad

Director
TV Show
1999

The Secret Lives of Men

Director
TV Show
1998

Jesse

Director
TV Show
1998

Conrad Bloom

Director
TV Show
1998

Will & GraceStream

Director
TV Show
1998
74%

Will & GraceStream

Executive Producer
TV Show
1998
74%

Dharma & GregStream

Director
TV Show
1997

George & Leo

Director
TV Show
1997

Pearl

Director
TV Show
1996

NewsRadioStream

Director
TV Show
1995
95%

FriendsStream

Guest Star
Director
TV Show
1994
79%

Inside the Actors Studio

Guest
TV Show
1994

FrasierStream

Director
TV Show
1993
95%

WingsStream

Director
TV Show
1990

Dear John

Director
TV Show
1988

MatlockStream

Director
TV Show
1986

Hogan Family

Director
TV Show
1986

CheersStream

Creator
TV Show
1982
87%

CheersStream

Director
TV Show
1982
87%

CheersStream

Executive Producer
TV Show
1982
87%

Family TiesStream

Director
TV Show
1982

Compañeros

Director
Movie
1982

Partners

Director
Movie
1982

The Associates

Director
TV Show
1979

Free Country

Director
TV Show
1978

More Than Friends

Director
Movie
1978

Laverne & ShirleyStream

Director
TV Show
1976

Rhoda

Guest Star
TV Show
1974

The Bob Newhart ShowStream

Director
TV Show
1972

The Bob Newhart ShowStream

Guest Star
Maintenance Man
TV Show
1972

The Mary Tyler Moore ShowStream

Director
TV Show
1970

TodayStream

Guest
TV Show
1952

News about
James Burrows