'Will & Grace,' 'Friends' stars pay tribute to James Burrows after legendary TV director dies at 85
Television stars are paying tribute to director James Burrows following his death at age 85.
Among those honoring Burrows were the stars of "Will & Grace," a series he helped shape during both its original run and revival.
Debra Messing shared an emotional tribute on social media, calling Burrows a "legend," an "icon" and a "singular talent."
"He brought laughter and love into more homes, globally, than any other TV director in history," Messing wrote in an Instagram post.
The actress, who portrayed Grace Adler, reflected on the personal bond she shared with Burrows, describing him as a beloved presence in her life and her son's life.
"Today, we lost our TV dad," she wrote, recalling how Burrows encouraged actors to experiment and trusted them to explore their characters. "I love you Jimmy. Find the clowns up there. They need direction."
Eric McCormack also honored his longtime collaborator, writing, "We lost a giant today, a mentor to me and a dear friend."
The cast of "Friends" also remembered Burrows, who directed several episodes of the hit sitcom and maintained close relationships with its stars.
Matt LeBlanc described Burrows as an "icon" whose impact on television and the people he worked with was immeasurable.
"Words cannot describe the impact and influence you had on us and everyone who was lucky enough to have known you," LeBlanc captioned an Instagram photo of the two together.
David Schwimmer echoed those sentiments, describing Burrows as a mentor and father figure.
"Jimmy Burrows brought out the best in every actor he ever worked with," Schwimmer wrote. "His warmth, humility and generosity made us feel safe, like family."
Schwimmer said countless writers, actors, producers and crew members benefited from watching Burrows work, praising both his talent and generosity.
Lisa Kudrow also paid tribute, sharing a photo to her Instagram Stories of herself and Burrows from the set of "The Comeback."
Burrows' agent, Rick Rosen, confirmed his death on June 19, telling ABC News, "Jimmy was the greatest comedic television director in the history of the medium," "He directed the most iconic, defining shows of generations. Always a gentleman, it was an absolute honor to represent him."
Over a career that spanned decades, Burrows became one of the most influential figures in television comedy, directing episodes of beloved series including "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," "Taxi," "Cheers," "Frasier," "Friends," "3rd Rock from the Sun" and "Will & Grace."
