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Coverage dated June 18, 2026 to June 19, 2026

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

Headline from FOX 5 New York, on the newest of 2 developments

James Burrows, the co-creator of the wildly popular TV sitcom, "Cheers," and director of many beloved shows such as "Will and Grace," has died.

FOX 5 New York's own description from its feed. We collect headlines and these descriptions, not full articles; read the original reporting below.

Developments in this update

2 dated developments, oldest first, newest marked. Each is named by one outlet's own headline; open its reports to see every outlet that covered it.

  1. James Burrows, co-creator of 'Cheers' and director of 'Will & Grace,' dies at 85

    Headline from NBC Chicago ·

  2. Newest

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

    Headline from FOX 5 New York ·

Read the reports

Reports & sources

52 articles, oldest first.

  1. NBC10 Philadelphia

    James Burrows, co-creator of 'Cheers' and director of 'Will & Grace,' dies at 85 (opens NBC10 Philadelphia)

    Published

    NBC10 Philadelphia's feed description

    Burrows won multiple Emmy awards and also directed episodes of “Friends,” “Frasier” and “The Mary Tyler Moore Show."

  2. ABC 7 Los Angeles

    'Cheers' director James Burrows dies at 85 (opens ABC 7 Los Angeles)

    Published

    ABC 7 Los Angeles's feed description

    James Burrows has worked on many shows including "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," "Will & Grace" and more.

  3. Delaware Public Media

    James Burrows, director of classic shows 'Cheers' and 'Friends,' dies at 85 (opens Delaware Public Media)

    Published

    Delaware Public Media's feed description

    Burrows spent his career behind the camera specializing in situation comedies. Few viewers recognized him or knew his name, other than to see it flash quickly on the screen in the opening credits. But they knew his work.

  4. Seattle Times

    James Burrows, comedy director behind ‘Cheers’ and ‘Friends,’ dies at 85 (opens Seattle Times)

    Published

    Seattle Times's feed description

    The 11-time Emmy-winning director James Burrows, a force behind many fan favorites, has died, his family confirmed to People. He was 85.

  5. Fox32 Chicago

    James Burrows, ‘Cheers’ co-creator, director of ‘Will and Grace,’ dies at 85 (opens Fox32 Chicago)

    Published

    Fox32 Chicago's feed description

    James Burrows, the co-creator of the wildly popular TV sitcom, "Cheers," and director of many beloved shows such as "Will and Grace," has died.

  6. Deadline

    James Burrows Dead: Legendary TV Comedy Director & 'Cheers' Co-Creator (opens Deadline)

    Published

    Deadline's feed description

    James Burrows, the most decorated multi-camera director in TV history, passed away in his sleep this morning, June 19, after a brief illness at 85.

  7. The Hollywood Reporter

    James Burrows, ‘Will & Grace’ Director and ‘Cheers’ Co-Creator, Dies at 85 (opens The Hollywood Reporter)

    Published

    The Hollywood Reporter's feed description

    James Burrows, the 11-time Emmy winner known for directing 'Cheers,' 'Will & Grace,' 'Frasier' and 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show, has died.

  8. Variety

    James Burrows, ‘Cheers’ Co-Creator and Prolific TV Director, Dies at 85 (opens Variety)

    Published

    Variety's feed description

    James Burrows, the prolific director who reigned as television’s preeminent sitcom helmer for more than 30 years, has died. He was 85.

  9. UPI

    'Friends,' 'Cheers,' 'Will & Grace' director James Burrows dies at 85 (opens UPI)

    Published

    UPI's feed description

    James Burrows died Friday at age 85. The longtime television director launched many series and cut his teeth in classic television in the

  10. WFMZ Allentown

    James Burrows, director of classic TV comedies including 'Cheers' and 'Friends,' dies at 85 (opens WFMZ Allentown)

    Published

    WFMZ Allentown's feed description

    James Burrows, the director behind iconic TV comedies like “Cheers,” “Taxi,” “Friends” and “Will and Grace,” has died. His family confirmed his death in a statement to People, saying he

  11. Forbes

    James Burrows, ‘Cheers’ Co-Creator And ‘Friends’ Director, Dies At 85 (opens Forbes)

    Published

    Forbes's feed description

    James Burrows, who co-created the classic sitcom "Cheers" and directed several episodes of “Friends,” “Frasier,” "Will & Grace" and dozens of other hit series, has died.

  12. CNN

    TV director James Burrows, known for work on comedies like ‘Cheers’ and ‘Friends,’ dies at 85 (opens CNN)

    Published

    CNN's feed description

    James Burrows may not have been as recognizable by name as the actors who starred in the many beloved TV shows he directed, but his mark on television was undeniable

  13. Salon

    James Burrows, legendary sitcom director, dies at 85 (opens Salon)

    Published

    Salon's feed description

    The prolific TV maestro co-created "Cheers" and shaped the modern half-hour comedy as we know it

  14. Honolulu Star-Advertiser

    James Burrows, prolific comedy director behind ‘Cheers’ and ‘Friends,’ dies at 85 | Honolulu Star-Advertiser (opens Honolulu Star-Advertiser)

    Published

    Honolulu Star-Advertiser's feed description

    LOS ANGELES >> Comedy director James Burrows, the 11-time Emmy-winning director who co-created “Cheers” and helped turn such long-running sitcoms as “Taxi,” “Friends,” “Will & Grace” and “The Big Bang Theory” into fan favorites, has died, his family confirmed to People. He was 85.

  15. FOX 5 New York

    James Burrows, ‘Cheers’ co-creator, director of ‘Will and Grace,’ dies at 85: Reports (opens FOX 5 New York)

    Published

    FOX 5 New York's feed description

    James Burrows, the co-creator of the wildly popular TV sitcom, "Cheers," and director of many beloved shows such as "Will and Grace," has died.

  16. Fortune

    James Burrows, director who defined the American sitcom from 'Cheers' to 'Friends,' dies at 85 (opens Fortune)

    Published

    Fortune's feed description

    He was 35, working dinner theater, and wrote Mary Tyler Moore a letter asking for any job "small or smaller." She said yes.

  17. WHDH Boston

    James Burrows, director of classic TV comedies including ‘Cheers’ and ‘Friends,’ dies at 85 - Boston News, Weather, Sports (opens WHDH Boston)

    Published

    WHDH Boston's feed description

    LOS ANGELES (AP) — James Burrows, who helped create volumes of laughter as director of more than a thousand episodes of such classic television comedies

  18. KESQ Palm Springs

    Legendary TV director James Burrows dies at 85 (opens KESQ Palm Springs)

    Published

    KESQ Palm Springs's feed description

    LOS ANGELES (KESQ) - Emmy-winning television director James Burrows, a decades-long Hollywood hit-maker who co-created "Cheers" and helmed more than 1,000 episodes of programs ranging from "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" to "Will & Grace" and "Friends," died today at age 85.

  19. Rolling Stone

    James Burrows, 'Cheers' Co-Creator and Famed TV Director, Dead at 85 (opens Rolling Stone)

    Published

    Rolling Stone's feed description

    James Burrows, co-creator of the hit sitcom 'Cheers' and prolific TV director over 1,000 episodes, has died at the age of 85.

  20. New Hampshire Union Leader

    James Burrows, prolific comedy director behind ‘Cheers’ and ‘Friends,’ dies at 85 (opens New Hampshire Union Leader)

    Published

    New Hampshire Union Leader's feed description

    Comedy director James Burrows, the 11-time Emmy-winning director who co-created “Cheers” and helped turn such long-running sitcoms as “Taxi,” “Friends,” “Will & Grace” and “The Big Bang Theory” into fan

  21. RedState

    James Burrows, Who Helped Direct Decades of Iconic TV Sitcoms, Has Died at 85 (opens RedState)

    Published

    RedState's feed description

    James Burrows, iconic TV sitcom director behind Cheers and Friends, dies at 85, leaving a lasting legacy.

Identical headlines usually mean shared wire copy. They are counted as separate articles but are not independent confirmation.

James Burrows, ‘Cheers’ co-creator, director of ‘Will and Grace,’ dies at 85: Reports | Since Then