James Burrows

james-burrows-everett-450x600.jpg

James Burrows

James Burrows

Photo credit: 
Everett Collection

James Burrows

Birthday: December 30
Birthplace: Los Angeles, CA

James Burrows is an American television director who has been working in television since the 1970s.

Burrows has directed over 50 television pilots and co-created the long-running television series Cheers.

While working as a stage manager and director in theater, Burrows wrote to Mary Tyler Moore and her then husband Grant Tinker seeking a job at their production company, MTM Enterprises. In 1974, Tinker hired Burrows as a director for MTM Enterprises where he directed episodes of The Mary Tyler Moore Show and The Bob Newhart Show.

James Burrows is an American television director who has been working in television since the 1970s.

Burrows has directed over 50 television pilots and co-created the long-running television series Cheers.

While working as a stage manager and director in theater, Burrows wrote to Mary Tyler Moore and her then husband Grant Tinker seeking a job at their production company, MTM Enterprises. In 1974, Tinker hired Burrows as a director for MTM Enterprises where he directed episodes of The Mary Tyler Moore Show and The Bob Newhart Show.

Tinker asked director Jay Sandrich, known for his work directing The Mary Tyler Moore Show and later The Cosby Show and The Golden Girls, to serve as a mentor to Burrows.

Burrows has directed hundreds of episodes of television series, including Laverne & Shirley, Night Court, Wings, Frasier, Friends, NewsRadio, 3rd Rock from the Sun, Pearl, Dharma & Greg, Will & Grace, Two and a Half Men, The Big Bang Theory, Mike & Molly, 2 Broke Girls, Superior Donuts, and the 2017 revival of Will & Grace.

James Burrows was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 2006.

 

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Awards & Nominations

46 Nominations | 11 Emmys | 1 Honor
Outstanding Variety Special (Live) - 2022
Outstanding Directing For A Comedy Series - 2021
  • Nominee
  • James Burrows, Directed by
  • B Positive
  • "Pilot"
  • CBS
  • Chuck Lorre Productions, Inc. in association with Warner Bros. Television
Outstanding Directing For A Comedy Series - 2020
  • Nominee
  • James Burrows, Directed by
  • Will & Grace
  • "We Love Lucy"
  • NBC
  • Universal Television in association with KoMut Entertainment and Three Princesses and a P
Outstanding Variety Special (Live) - 2020
Outstanding Directing For A Variety Special - 2019
Hall of Fame - 2006
  • Winner
  • James Burrows, as Honoree
Outstanding Comedy Series - 2005
Outstanding Directing For A Comedy Series - 2005
Outstanding Comedy Series - 2004
Outstanding Comedy Series - 2003
Outstanding Directing For A Comedy Series - 2003
Outstanding Comedy Series - 2002
Outstanding Comedy Series - 2001
Outstanding Comedy Series - 1993
  • Nominee
  • James Burrows, Executive Producer
  • Cheers
  • NBC
Outstanding Comedy Series - 1992
  • Nominee
  • James Burrows, Executive Producer
  • Cheers
  • NBC
Outstanding Comedy Series - 1991
  • Winner
  • James Burrows, Executive Producer
  • Cheers
  • NBC
OUTSTANDING DIRECTING IN A COMEDY SERIES - 1990
  • Nominee
  • James Burrows, Director
  • Cheers
  • NBC
Outstanding Comedy Series - 1989
  • Winner
  • James Burrows
  • Cheers
  • NBC
Outstanding Comedy Series - 1988
  • Nominee
  • James Burrows
  • Cheers
  • NBC
Outstanding Comedy Series - 1987
  • Nominee
  • James Burrows
  • Cheers
  • NBC
Outstanding Comedy Series - 1986
  • Nominee
  • James Burrows
  • Cheers
  • NBC
Outstanding Comedy Series - 1985
  • Nominee
  • James Burrows
  • Cheers
  • NBC
Outstanding Comedy Series - 1984
  • Winner
  • James Burrows
  • Cheers
  • NBC
Outstanding Comedy Series - 1983
  • Winner
  • James Burrows
  • Cheers
  • NBC
OUTSTANDING DIRECTING IN A COMEDY SERIES - 1980
  • Winner
  • James Burrows, Director
  • Taxi
  • ABC

The Television Academy database lists prime-time Emmy information. Click here to learn more

Chris Hardwick presents the award for Outstanding Variety Special (Live) to Brent Miller, Norman Lear, Kerry Washington, Justin Theroux, James Burrows and Eric Cook for Live In Front Of A Studio Audience: "All In The Family" And "Good Times" on Night Two
25th Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
Emcee Pete Hammond and honoree James Burrows
James Burrows and Debbie Easton
Jennifer Aniston and James Burrows
James Burrows with Margo Martindale and Beau Bridges
Eric McCormack. James Burrows, Megan Mullalley and Debra Messing
Bob Newhart and James Burrows
Rhea Perlman and James Burrows
An Evening Honoring James Burrows
Pete Hammond, James Burrows and Warren Littlefield
Debra Messing, James Burrows and Eric McCormack
Jennifer Corby
Jay Sandrich (R) toasts his protege and friend James Burrows
Mark Roberts and James Burrows participate in an Evening with Mike & Molly
Mark Roberts and James Burrows participate in an Evening with Mike & Molly
Melissa McCarthy, Billy Gardell, Chuck Lorre, Reno Wilson, Swoosie Kurtz, Katy Mixon, Nyambi Nyambi, James Burrows, Don Foster
Fill 1
Fill 1
Chris Hardwick presents the award for Outstanding Variety Special (Live) to Brent Miller, Norman Lear, Kerry Washington, Justin Theroux, James Burrows and Eric Cook for Live In Front Of A Studio Audience: "All In The Family" And "Good Times" on Night Two
Camera

Chris Hardwick presents the award for Outstanding Variety Special (Live) to Brent Miller, Norman Lear, Kerry Washington, Justin Theroux, James Burrows and Eric Cook for Live In Front Of A Studio Audience: "All In The Family" And "Good Times" on Night Two of the Creative Arts Emmys.

Invision/AP
25th Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
Camera

Linda Sandrich and James Burrows at the 25th Television Academy Hall of Fame induction ceremony, held at the Saban Media Center in North Hollywood, California on January 28, 2020.

Invision/AP
Emcee Pete Hammond and honoree James Burrows
Camera
Invision/AP
James Burrows and Debbie Easton
Camera
Invision/AP
Jennifer Aniston and James Burrows
Camera
Invision/AP
James Burrows with Margo Martindale and Beau Bridges
Camera
Invision/AP
Eric McCormack. James Burrows, Megan Mullalley and Debra Messing
Camera
Invision/AP
Bob Newhart and James Burrows
Camera
Invision/AP
Rhea Perlman and James Burrows
Camera
Invision/AP
An Evening Honoring James Burrows
Camera
Invision/AP
Pete Hammond, James Burrows and Warren Littlefield
Camera
Invision/AP
Debra Messing, James Burrows and Eric McCormack
Camera
Invision/AP
Jennifer Corby
Camera
Invision/AP
Jay Sandrich (R) toasts his protege and friend James Burrows
Camera
Invision/AP
Mark Roberts and James Burrows participate in an Evening with Mike & Molly
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Mark Roberts and James Burrows participate in an Evening with Mike & Molly
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Melissa McCarthy, Billy Gardell, Chuck Lorre, Reno Wilson, Swoosie Kurtz, Katy Mixon, Nyambi Nyambi, James Burrows, Don Foster
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