Matt LeBlanc, David Schwimmer and Lisa Kudrow Pay Tribute to Late “Friends” Director James Burrows: ‘A True Icon’

Charna FlamSat, June 20, 2026 at 4:00 AM UTC

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Matt LeBlanc, James Burrows and David Schwimmer in 2016Credit: Art Streiber/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty -

James Burrows, the legendary TV director who worked on iconic shows like Friends, Taxi, and Will & Grace, has died, his family confirmed on Friday, June 19

Friends stars Matt LeBlanc, David Schwimmer and Lisa Kudrow shared tributes, calling Burrows a mentor, icon, and paternal figure in their lives

"His warmth, humility and generosity made us feel safe, like family, and I'm sure we weren't the only cast to feel that way," Schwimmer wrote

Matt LeBlanc and his Friends costars are paying tribute to their late collaborator, James Burrows.

Burrows' family confirmed his death at the age of 85 to PEOPLE on Friday, June 19. The prolific TV director was known for his work on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Will & Grace, Taxi, Frasier, 3rd Rock from the Sunand Friends.

LeBlanc, 58, shared a rare Instagram post paying tribute to the director on Friday, June 19. "Jimmy, words cannot describe the impact and influence you had on us and everyone who was lucky enough to have known you," LeBlanc wrote.

"You sir are a true icon on so many levels. Well wishes in your next act," he continued, before concluding, "You will be missed. God Bless."

Matt LeBlanc and James BurrowsCredit: Matt LeBlanc/Instagram

The Friends star shared a selfie of himself and Burrows smiling together in a stadium. He also included a photo of himself and David Schwimmer smiling widely as they hugged Burrows, who wore a goofier expression. The photo was taken in 2016 for the NBC special Must See TV: An All-Star Tribute to James Burrows.

Schwimmer posted the same photo to his Instagram and penned a heartfelt message to the director he considered "another Father figure."

"Jimmy Burrows brought out the best in every actor he ever worked with, and elevated every show he directed, making it funnier and more moving than anyone expected," he wrote. "His warmth, humility and generosity made us feel safe, like family, and I'm sure we weren't the only cast to feel that way. He looked out for us, on camera and off."

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Schwimmer, 59, continued by recalling Burrows's "paternal" nature. "Loving, wise, encouraging, challenging, instructive, patient, inspiring, playful—and on my best days, I'd like to think, even proud," he wrote."Thousands of writers, actors, producers, crew members and network execs are forever blessed to have been on a sound stage with him, watching him work and learning from his incomparable talent," he wrote, before concluding, "Jimmy, I miss you already and I'm forever grateful to you. Thank you for being such a wonderful director, mentor and friend."

James Burrows and Lisa KudrowCredit: Lisa Kudrow/Instagram

Lisa Kudrow posted a photo to her Instagram Stories of herself and the late director on the set of The Comeback. "Thank you Jimmy. I mean, for everything..." LeBlanc wrote in response to Kudrow's post.

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At the time of the Friends pilot, Burrows, who already had a storied career behind him, knew he needed to direct the show.

"I had a good sense about Friends and knew two things immediately: one, I didn't have time to direct it, and two, I had to direct it. It became the last pilot shot that year," he wrote in his 2022 memoir, Directed by James Burrows. "I fell in love with these six kids on the page immediately. Ninety-five percent of the original pilot script made it to air."

"I knew the show had a chance to really take off and told the kids, 'This is your last shot at anonymity. Once the show airs, you guys will never be able to go anywhere without being hounded.' None of them believed me," he wrote in his memoir.

Burrows directed 15 episodes of Friends, including "The One with the Blackout," which earned him another Emmy nod. During his career, Burrows earned 11 Emmys, was nominated 48 times, and directed over 1,000 TV episodes.

on People

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”