- Born
- Died
- Birth nameJames Edward Burrows
- Nicknames
- Jimmy
- Beads
- James Burrows was born on December 30, 1940 in Los Angeles, California, USA. He was a director and producer, known for Cheers (1982), Will & Grace (1998) and Taxi (1978). He was married to Debbie Easton and Linda Solomon. He died on June 19, 2026 in the USA.
- SpousesDebbie Easton(1997 - June 19, 2026) (his death)Linda Solomon(July 17, 1981 - 1993) (divorced, 3 children)
- ChildrenKatherine Sarah Burrows (Schatzow)Margaret Abigail BurrowsParis Ann Sellon
- ParentsRuth Levinson
- RelativesWilliam G Burrows(Half Sibling)Laurie Burrows Grad(Sibling)Nicholas Grad(Niece or Nephew)
- Conversations that involves frequent movement
- Rapid change of expressions
- Unseen Characters
- Has been nominated for an Emmy for directing a comedy episode 24 times in 26 years, one nomination every year since 1980, excluding 1997 and 2004. He has won (as director) five times.
- Even though he became very wealthy from his work in television, he once said in an interview that he continues to direct situation comedy episodes on a freelance basis because it is what he loves to do.
- On several series he's worked on, the spouse of a main character is never actually seen by the audience. They are Norm Peterson's wife Vera (Cheers (1982)), Niles Crane's wife Maris (Frasier (1993)), Karen Walker's husband Stanley (Will & Grace (1998)), Phylis Lynstrom's husband Lars (The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970)). Although not spouses, Carlton the Doorman on Rhoda (1974) and Louie De Palma's mother on Taxi (1978) were never seen. However, Louie's mother appeared in two episodes in 1981 in which she remarries. She was played by Julia DeVito, the mother of Danny DeVito, who played Louie.
- Has directed over 30 TV pilots.
- Graduated from Oberlin College in Oberlin, OH, in 1962. Received a masters degree in theater from Yale University in 1965.
- I'll tell you what I love about directing: the surprise. You never know what's going to happen with your piece until an audience weighs in. You may think that you know what will be funny as shit but then a group of bused-in Middle Americans says it is shit and you're shaking your head in dismay. This surprise I find exhilarating and scary--and I love it.
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