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James Burrows
Highest Rated: 97% Being Mary Tyler Moore (2023)
Lowest Rated: 0% Partners (1982)
Birthday: Dec 30, 1940
Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, USA
One of the most celebrated directors in television comedy history, James Burrows earned numerous Emmys for his crisp, fast-moving direction on such iconic series as "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" (CBS, 1970-77), "Taxi" (ABC/NBC, 1978-83), "Cheers" (NBC, 1982-93), which he also co-created, and "Will and Grace" (NBC, 1998-2006), among countless others. Burrows brought a quick-witted, theatrical pace to half-hour comedies that elevated them beyond the standard gags and banter to short plays that resonated with audiences beyond their weekly time slot. As a result, he became the go-to guy for both new and established shows to bring an element of style, wit and class to their seasonal lineup. In doing so, Burrows was among the most honored television directors in the medium's history and one of the few television directors average viewers recognized by name.
Photos
Filmography
Movies
| Credit | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 97% |
|
Being Mary Tyler Moore | Self | - | 2023 |
| No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Live in Front of a Studio Audience: The Facts of Life and Diff'rent Strokes |
Director, Executive Producer |
- | 2021 |
| 88% | No Score Yet | Live in Front of a Studio Audience: Norman Lear's 'All in the Family' and 'The Jeffersons' | Director | - | 2019 |
| 0% |
|
Partners | Director | - | 1982 |
| No Score Yet | No Score Yet | More Than Friends | Director | - | 1978 |
TV
| Credit | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60% | 80% | Frasier | Director | 2023-2024 |
| No Score Yet | 36% | Jimmy Kimmel Live! | Guest | 2022 |
| 85% | 57% | B Positive | Director | 2020 |
| 74% | 75% | Will & Grace |
Jimmy Burrows (Guest Star), Director, Executive Producer |
2017-2020 |
| No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Inside the Actors Studio | Guest | 2019 |
| No Score Yet | 73% | The Neighborhood | Director | 2018 |
| No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Harry | Guest | 2017 |
| No Score Yet | 100% | The Nineties | Self | 2017 |
| 62% | 51% | Superior Donuts | Director | 2017 |
| No Score Yet | 78% | Man With a Plan | Director | 2016-2017 |
| No Score Yet | 63% | Mike & Molly | Director | 2010-2012 2016 |
| No Score Yet | 62% | 2 Broke Girls | Director | 2011 2016 |
| 47% | 44% | The Millers | Director | 2013-2015 |
| 74% | 89% | The Comeback | Himself (Guest Star) | 2014 |
| 13% | 67% | Friends With Better Lives | Director | 2014 |
| 22% | 41% | Sean Saves the World | Executive Producer | 2013-2014 |
| 17% | 80% | Partners | Director | 2012 |
| 0% | 50% | $..! My Dad Says | Director | 2010 |
| 65% | No Score Yet | Better With You | Director | 2010 |
| 6% | No Score Yet | Romantically Challenged |
Executive Producer, Director |
2010 |
| 24% | 40% | Gary Unmarried |
Director, Executive Producer |
2008-2010 |
| 81% | 84% | The Big Bang Theory | Director | 2007 |
| 40% | No Score Yet | Back to You | Director | 2007 |
| 44% | No Score Yet | The Class |
Executive Producer, Director |
2006-2007 |
| No Score Yet | 88% | Will & Grace |
Executive Producer, Director |
1998-2006 |
| No Score Yet | No Score Yet | The Stones | Director | 2004 |
| 65% | 66% | Two and a Half Men | Director | 2003 |
| 45% | No Score Yet | Madigan Men | Director | 2000 |
| 0% | No Score Yet | Stark Raving Mad | Director | 1999 |
| 38% | No Score Yet | The Secret Lives of Men | Director | 1998 |
| No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Jesse | Director | 1998 |
| 7% | No Score Yet | Conrad Bloom | Director | 1998 |
| 70% | No Score Yet | George & Leo | Director | 1997 |
| No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Dharma & Greg | Director | 1997 |
| 95% | 94% | Frasier | Director | 1993-1997 |
| 73% | No Score Yet | Pearl | Director | 1996 |
| 95% | 79% | NewsRadio | Director | 1995-1996 |
| 78% | 93% | Friends | Director (Guest Star) | 1994 |
| 87% | 95% | Cheers |
Creator, Executive Producer, Director |
1982-1993 |
| No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Wings | Director | 1990 |
| No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Dear John | Director | 1988 |
| No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Matlock | Director | 1986 |
| No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Hogan Family | Director | 1986 |
| No Score Yet | 88% | Family Ties | Director | 1985 |
| No Score Yet | No Score Yet | The Associates | Director | 1979-1980 |
| No Score Yet | 62% | Taxi | Director | 1978-1980 |
| No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Laverne & Shirley | Director | 1976-1977 |
| No Score Yet | No Score Yet | The Bob Newhart Show |
Maintenance Man (Guest Star), Director |
1975-1977 |
| No Score Yet | No Score Yet | The Mary Tyler Moore Show | Director | 1974-1976 |
| No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Rhoda | Unknown (Guest Star) | 1974 |