Matt LeBlanc shared a rare Instagram post this Friday to mourn legendary TV director James Burrows, who died this week at the age of 85.
A co-creator of Cheers, Burrows directed several episodes of Friends including the pilot, as well as every single episode of Will & Grace.
He won a staggering 11 Emmy Awards over the course of his career, which also included multiple episodes of LeBlanc’s recent sitcom Man with a Plan.
‘Jimmy,’ LeBlanc wrote in his tribute: ‘words cannot describe the impact and influence you had on us and everyone who was lucky enough to have known you.’
The 58-year-old actor continued: ‘You sir are a true icon on so many levels. Well wishes in your next act. You will be missed. God Bless.’
Other than a joint post of a Dunkin’ ad he starred in, the last upload LeBlanc had shared to Instagram was an in memoriam to his late Friends co-star Matthew Perry after the latter died of a ketamine overdose in 2023, aged just 54.
Matt LeBlanc shared a rare Instagram post this Friday to mourn legendary TV director James Burrows, who died this week at the age of 85
(clockwise from left) Courteney Cox, LeBlanc, Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer, Matthew Perry and Jennifer Aniston are pictured in a 1994 publicity still for Friends
Kudrow, 62, remembered Burrows by posting a photo of them on the set of The Comeback, next to a chair that had his name and the word ‘director’ stitched on it
Another of LeBlanc’s co-stars, Lisa Kudrow, paid her own touching homage to Burrows on Friday as the news spread of his death.
Burrows’ last onscreen appearance was on the new season of Kudrow’s show The Comeback, where he held a recurring role as a fictionalized version of himself.
Kudrow, 62, remembered Burrows by posting a photo of them on the set of The Comeback, next to a chair that had his name and the word ‘director’ stitched on it.
Danny DeVito gave a statement on behalf of himself and and his longtime wife Rhea Perlman, each of him has a separate professional tie to Burrows.
While Perlman became a TV star on Cheers, Burrows directed DeVito on the classic 1970s sitcom Taxi, which was an early career breakthrough for both men.
‘Rhea and I are deeply saddened by the passing of Jimmy Burrows. The entire DeVito family feels the loss of such an exceptional man, and we send our love to Debbie, Jimmy’s children, and all of his loved ones,’ DeVito told Entertainment Weekly.
‘Jimmy guided Rhea and me through 16 seasons of television. He was the very best at his craft. His positive spirit, boundless energy, and tireless work defined what it takes to run a show and keep people laughing. He will always be in our hearts.’
Burrows directed a solid majority of the episodes of Taxi, which featured a glittering cast including Tony Danza, Andy Kaufman, Judd Hirsch, Marilu Henner, Christopher Lloyd, Jeff Conaway, Randall Carver and Carol Kane.
(from left) Judd Hirsch, Marilu Henner, Christopher Lloyd, Danny DeVito, Tony Danza and Carol Kane are pictured in a publicity still for Taxi, of which Burrows directed a majority of episodes
Danza remembered Burrows on X, writing: ‘We have lost the greatest of all time. Jimmy Burrows. I know I wouldn’t be here without him.’
He conveyed his ‘thoughts’ to Burrows’ widow Debbie Easton, whom he had been married to since 1997, and to the director’s four children.
