01What happened
The story, straight
Jennifer Aniston posted a tribute to James Burrows, the prolific television director who died on Friday at 85. Burrows directed numerous episodes of 'Friends' and is widely regarded as one of the most influential sitcom directors in television history. Aniston described him as 'Papa Burrows' and wrote that 'he spent a lifetime making people feel loved.'
Jennifer Aniston posted a tribute to James Burrows, calling him 'Papa Burrows' and saying 'he spent a lifetime making people feel loved.' He died Friday at 85. Burrows directed a huge chunk of Friends and basically shaped the modern sitcom as we know it.
02Spread timeline
Where it actually started
03Source receipts
Every claim, linked
04What's solid, what isn't
What's solid and what isn't
- James Burrows died on Friday at age 85.
- Jennifer Aniston posted a tribute calling him 'Papa Burrows' and describing him as a father figure.
- Additional tributes from other casts and industry figures are expected.
05Why it matters
The editorial take
James Burrows directed more than 1,000 episodes of television across his career, including landmark runs on 'Cheers,' 'Will & Grace,' 'Frasier,' and 'Friends.' Tributes from the casts he worked with are expected to continue as the industry mourns one of its most prolific directors.
Burrows directed over 1,000 TV episodes — Cheers, Will & Grace, Frasier, Friends. One of the most decorated sitcom directors ever. More tributes are coming.