LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA — Attorney Tom Hoberman confirmed that James Burrows, a television director and co-creator of the series "Cheers," died in Los Angeles at the age of 85.

The family said in a statement: "We celebrate the extraordinary life and enduring legacy of James 'Jimmy' Burrows, who passed away peacefully today surrounded by his loving family." Burrows is survived by his wife, hairstylist Debbie Easton, four daughters, including a stepdaughter, and seven grandchildren.

Burrows was born in Los Angeles, California. He was raised in New York and attended the High School of Music and Art, before graduating from Oberlin College and the Yale School of Drama. His father was writer-director Abe Burrows. Burrows resided in Manhattan, New York.

His television directing career began in 1974 with "The Mary Tyler Moore Show." Burrows directed more than 1,000 television episodes throughout his career, including every episode of the original run of "Will & Grace." He also directed 237 episodes of "Cheers," a series he co-created with Glen and Les Charles. Burrows directed the pilot episode of "Friends" in 1994, and episodes of "The Big Bang Theory" and "Two and a Half Men." He also directed episodes of the 2023 Paramount+ revival of "Frasier."

Burrows received 11 Emmy Awards and was nominated for an Emmy every year from 1980 to 1996. He won a 2020 Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety Special (Live). Burrows also received five Directors Guild of America Awards and 15 nominations. Burrows integrated a fourth camera into the standard three-camera sitcom production format. He published a memoir in 2022. Burrows made cameo appearances in the first season of "Friends" and during the revival of "Will & Grace." He also appeared in the third season of the HBO series "The Comeback." Burrows said regarding the element of chance in his career, "The first thing you have to be is funny." He also offered perspective on casting, stating, "It looks perfect now, but that was the dregs of the actors still available."