From June, 2022: WGN Radio’s Dave Plier welcomes TV icon James Burrows to talk about his book: ‘Directed by James Burrows: Five Decades of Stories from the Legendary Director of Taxi, Cheers, Frasier, Friends, Will & Grace, and More’. All this from the man who helped launch the careers of Ted Danson, Kelsey Grammer, Woody Harrelson, Jennifer Aniston, Debra Messing, and Melissa McCarthy, to name a few.

Burrows died Friday, June 19, 2026 at the age of 85.

https://serve.castfire.com/audio/8466619/James_Burrows_2026-06-20-025319.64kmono.mp3Prolific TV director James Burrows, known for ‘Will & Grace’ and ‘Cheers,’ dies at 85More from the ArchivesWGN Radio ArchivesFrom 2022: Dave Plier with TV director James Burrows.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Archives: Sirott and Murciano talk with Walt Parazaider.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Remembering Tom Dreesen.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Remembering Stacey King.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Remembering Billy Goat Tavern owner Sam Sianis.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Click for moreRecent PostsDave PlierMen at Work’s Colin Hay: Coming to Chicago.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Stories behind Chicago’s neighborhoods.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Brhett Vickery: Motherhood & WGN Morning News.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Garry Meier: The importance of getting out and connecting.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Auction Benefiting the Museum of Broadcast Communications.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Click for more