Many TV stars directed by Burrows shared their condolences and fondest memories of working with the sitcom legend.

Matt LeBlanc, Lisa Kudrow, Tony Danza, and more remember James Burrows

Many TV stars directed by Burrows shared their condolences and fondest memories of working with the sitcom legend.

By Kathleen Perricone

June 19, 2026 10:25 p.m. ET

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Matt LeBlanc; Lisa Kudrow; Tony Danza. Credit:

Bennett Raglin/Getty;Momodu Mansaray/Getty;Jeff Spicer/Getty

- Legendary TV director James Burrows died on Friday.

- Stars from series including *Friends*, *Taxi*, *Will & Grace*, and *Cheers* remembered his enduring impact on television.

- LeBlanc called Burrows "a true icon on so many levels."

Following prolific TV director James Burrows' death on Friday, many of the stars of his hit shows spoke out to honor the legend.

One of Burrows' early successes as a director was *Taxi*, the comedy about cab drivers starring Tony Danza, Danny DeVito, Judd Hirsch, Marilu Henner, Andy Kaufman, and Christopher Lloyd. During its five-season run from 1978 to 1983, Burrows was behind the camera for 75 episodes, including the pilot.

Tony Danza on 'Taxi,' which aired from 1978 to 1983. Everett Collection

“We have lost the greatest of all time," Danza tells ** in a statement, which was also posted on his X account. "I know I wouldn't be here without him. My thoughts are with Debbie and the kids."

DeVito provided a statement to EW, also credited to his wife, Rhea Perlman, who starred on the iconic series *Cheers*, which Burrows co-created.

"Rhea and I are deeply saddened by the passing of Jimmy Burrows," says DeVito. "The entire DeVito family feels the loss of such an exceptional man, and we send our love to Debbie, Jimmy’s children, and all of his loved ones. Jimmy guided Rhea and me through 16 seasons of television. He was the very best at his craft. His positive spirit, boundless energy, and tireless work defined what it takes to run a show and keep people laughing. He will always be in our hearts."

Perlman's *Cheers* costar Ted Danson tells EW, "Jimmy was my show business father, my mentor and my friend. For 11 years his laughter taught me what was funny and what was not. Nothing made me happier than to make him laugh. I can only imagine that there are thousands of actors who feel the same way. Mary [Steenburgen] and I send all our love to his family. He will be in our hearts and our funnybones forever."

James Burrows and Lisa Kudrow filming 'The Comeback'.

Lisa Kudrow/Instagram

One of Burrows' final projects was *The Comeback *starring Lisa Kudrow, whom he worked with previously on *Friends*. For the HBO series, the director stepped in front of the camera to play a fictionalized version of himself three times, most recently for the 2026 revival. Following the news of his death, Kudrow posted a photo with Burrows on the set, standing beside his director's chair. She also left a comment on the story post, writing, "Thank you Jimmy. I mean, for everything. I love you."

Another *Friends* star, Matt LeBlanc, expressed his admiration for the director who helmed the pilot of the hit NBC comedy. "Jimmy, words cannot describe the impact and influence you had on us and everyone who was lucky enough to have known you," he wrote. "You sir are a true icon on so many levels. Well wishes in your next act. You will be missed. God Bless."

Fellow "friend' David Schwimmer posted a tribute that included a photo with LeBlanc and Burrows on Instagram, expressing his "forever" gratitude, sending love to the Burrows family, and describing him as being "a wonderful director, mentor and friend."

"Jimmy Burrows brought out the best in every actor he ever worked with, and elevated every show he directed, making it funnier and more moving than anyone expected," Schwimmer wrote. "His warmth, humility and generosity made us feel safe, like family, and I’m sure we weren’t the only cast to feel that way. He looked out for us, on camera and off. He became another Father figure for me, and I’m sure others. Paternal in the best sense of the word: Loving, wise, encouraging, challenging, instructive, patient, inspiring, playful—and on my best days, I’d like to think, even proud. Thousands of writers, actors, producers, crew members and network execs are forever blessed to have been on a sound stage with him, watching him work and learning from his incomparable talent."

In 2010, Burrows directed several episodes of the short-lived *Romantically Challenged* starring Alyssa Milano as a newly divorced attorney in Pittsburgh. The actress described the opportunity to work with him as "an absolute gift" and praised his brilliance as a director.

Alyssa Milano hugs James Burrows on set of 'Romantically Challenged'.

Alyssa Milano/instagram

"He knew exactly what a scene needed, exactly where the joke lived, and exactly how to create an environment where actors could do their best work," Milano wrote on Instagram. "He made it all look effortless, though anyone who has ever stepped onto one of his sets knows that it is anything but. As an actor, you spend your career hoping to learn from the best. I was fortunate enough to learn from a legend."

Burrows directed four episodes of *2 Broke Girls*, the CBS comedy starring Beth Behrs and Kat Dennings. But his impact was so significant, Behrs' homage took up Instagram's 2,200-character limit and spilled over into two additional comments.

The actress recalled that during rehearsals of the show, she and Dennings were "absolutely convinced you hated us," so they asked him point-blank. "I'll never forget the belly laugh," wrote Behrs. "I'll never forget the smile and thumbs-up you gave me after the first scene of the network run-through. Or the way you hugged me and said, 'I got you, kid,' when I was handed a brand-new opening monologue seconds before the first 'action' in front of a live audience."

After shooting the pilot in 2011, Behrs ran into none other than Jennifer Aniston, who worked with Burrows on 15 episodes of *Friends*. "She said, 'Oh, you have Jimmy? You'll get a pickup.' That was the reputation. The legend."

Dennings kept her memory of Burrows short and sweet, replying to Behrs in a comment: "I'll always remember the frozen yogurt."

A year after *2 Broke Girls* ended in 2017 after six seasons, Behrs reunited with Burrows for the pilot of *The Neighborhood*, which costarred Cedric the Entertainer. The comedian posted his own tribute to Burrows, remembering the director for his epic TV resume.

"The amount of laughs and joy his vision has brought into our homes is unmeasurable .. Cheers! Friends,Fraiser, Will & Grace and The Neighborhood to name only a few," wrote Cedric. "Thank you for your service to entertainment and this thing we call life. Condolences to his loved ones, and may you rest in peace."

Michael McKean, who played Lenny on *Laverne & Shirley*, of which Burrows helmed eight episodes, honored the director on X, writing, "Time spent with Jimmy Burrows was time worth laughing about. A great comedy guy and a very nice man."

One of the film industry's most respected directors, two-time Academy Award winner Christopher Nolan, also spoke out to remember Burrows, on behalf of the Directors Guild of America.

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"With more than 40 years directing more than 1,000 episodes of the most critically acclaimed and audience-beloved sitcoms of all time, James Burrows was the modern master of the sophisticated comedy and a beloved member of the DGA," Nolan said in a statement. "Famous for turning sitcoms like *Cheers*, *Will and Grace*, *Taxi*, and *Frasier* into high art, Jim set the bar in comedy direction with an incomparable influence on his fellow Directors over decades of precedent-setting television directing. ... He was truly incomparable and will be profoundly missed."

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