The sitcom director James Burrows has died.

      The creator of "Cheers" and director of "Friends" has passed away at the age of 85.

      James Burrows, a renowned director and creator of popular television sitcoms, has died at the age of 85. This was reported by the New York Times, citing agent Rick Rosen. The location and cause of death have not been disclosed. James Burrows gained recognition in the television world, winning 11 Emmy Awards and receiving 47 nominations over his half-century career. He was referred to as "the Steven Spielberg of sitcoms."

      "I care about the plausibility and conciseness of comedy, the shortest distance between a character and laughter," James Burrows wrote in his autobiography.

      Burrows was the creator of the series "Cheers" and directed over 1,000 episodes of it. He also worked on hits such as "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," "The Bob Newhart Show," "Taxi," "Frasier," "Friends," and "The Big Bang Theory."

      The director grew up in a family of Broadway playwright and director Abe Burrows. In his work on television episodes, he applied an approach characteristic of theatrical plays, which allowed him to achieve success in creating sitcoms.

      More news about the event:

      Director of sitcoms James Burrows has passed away

      The creator of "Cheers" and director of "Friends" has died at the age of 85. James Burrows, a well-known director and creator of popular television sitcoms, has passed away at the age of 85. 10:34 20.06.2026 Real Time - Kazan

      NYT: At the age of 85, the director of the cult series "Friends," James Burrows, has died.

      American director James Burrows, who worked on the series "Friends" and "The Big Bang Theory," has died at the age of 85. 09:47 20.06.2026 Business Online - Kazan

      News from neighboring regions on the topic:

      Director of "Friends" James Burrows has died at the age of 85.

      James Burrows, the director of the cult sitcoms "Friends" (18+) and "The Big Bang Theory" (18+), has passed away at the age of 86. 12:46 20.06.2026 Svoikirovsky.rf - Kirov

      Director of "Friends" and "The Big Bang Theory," James Burrows, has died.

      The director of cult series James Burrows has died at 85, with no cause given.

      American director and producer James Burrows, known for the cult sitcoms "Friends" and "The Big Bang Theory," has passed away. 13:03 20.06.2026 Biysk Worker Newspaper - Biysk

      Director of the sitcom "Friends" has died.

      Director of the American series "Friends" and "The Big Bang Theory," James Burrows, has died at the age of 85, reports the New York Times, citing his agent Rick Rosen. 10:57 20.06.2026 Pln-Pskov.Ru - Pskov

      Director James Burrows, known for the series "Friends," has passed away at the age of 85.

      American director James Burrows, known for his work on the cult sitcom "Friends" (1994–2004), has died at the age of 85. 09:47 20.06.2026 Online47.Ru - Leningrad Region

      Director of sitcoms "Friends" and "The Big Bang Theory," James Burrows, has passed away.

      Photo: @therealjamesburrows*

      The cause of death of the 85-year-old filmmaker has not yet been disclosed. 12:16 20.06.2026 Network Edition Talk - Barnaul

      The director of the cult sitcoms "Friends" and "The Big Bang Theory," James Burrows, has died.

      He was 85 years old.

      Director of the famous American series "Friends" and "The Big Bang Theory," James Burrows, has passed away. 09:47 20.06.2026 29.Ru - Arkhangelsk

      The director of the cult sitcoms "Friends" and "The Big Bang Theory," James Burrows, has died.

      He was 85 years old.

      Director of the famous American series "Friends" and "The Big Bang Theory," James Burrows, has passed away. 08:37 20.06.2026 76.Ru - Yaroslavl

      The director of the cult sitcoms "Friends" and "The Big Bang Theory," James Burrows, has died.

      He was 85 years old.

      Director of the famous American series "Friends" and "The Big Bang Theory," James Burrows, has passed away. 08:36 20.06.2026 161.Ru - Rostov-on-Don

      Director of "Friends" and "The Big Bang Theory," James Burrows, has passed away.

      Director James Burrows, who largely shaped the appearance of the modern genre of comedy series, has died. 08:23 20.06.2026 Moika78.Ru - St. Petersburg

      The legendary director of the most popular series has passed away.

      In the USA, director and producer James Burrows, one of the most influential authors in the history of television sitcoms, has died. 10:06 20.06.2026 UralWeb.Ru - Yekaterinburg

      Director of the series "Friends," James Burrows, has passed away.

      Director James Burrows, who directed "Friends" and "The Big Bang Theory," has died at the age of 85. 14:05 20.06.2026 Weacom.Ru - Irkutsk

      Director of the series "Friends" and "The Big Bang Theory," James Burrows, has passed away.

      American director and producer James Burrows, one of the key authors of the television sitcom genre, has died at the age of 85. 12:27 20.06.2026 News.Astv.Ru - Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

      NYT: Director of the American sitcom "Friends," Burrows, has died at 85.

      Photo: PeopleImages.com - Yuri A/Shutterstock/Fotodom

      James Burrows, an American director known as the creator of the series "Friends" and "The Big Bang Theory," has passed away at the age of 85. 03:27 20.06.2026 Yamal-Media - Salekhard

      Director of the cult sitcom "Friends," James Burrows, has died at the age of 85.

      James Burrows (Photo: Instagram* @therealjamesburrows)

      Director of the cult sitcom "Friends" has passed away at the age of 85. 02:33 20.06.2026 RTV-Podmoskovie - Podmoskovie

      The holder of 11 Emmys and director of "Friends," James Burrows, has passed away.

      Director James Burrows has died at the age of 85. The information about his death was confirmed by his agent Rick Rosen. 02:17 20.06.2026 IA Public News Service - Moscow