Matt LeBlanc made a rare Instagram post to honor the late television director James Burrows. The director’s family confirmed that he died at age 85 on June 19, prompting heartfelt messages from several stars who worked with him.
According to People, LeBlanc remembered him as a true icon and shared photos from their years together. The tribute was especially meaningful because Burrows helped shape Friends from the very beginning and became a trusted mentor to the cast.
The ‘Friends’ Cast Remembered James Burrows as a Mentor
LeBlanc shared a photo of himself smiling with the director in a stadium. He also posted another image with David Schwimmer, showing the two actors hugging Burrows during NBC’s 2016 special Must See TV: An All-Star Tribute to James Burrows. In his caption, LeBlanc said words could not fully describe the impact Burrows had on him and everyone lucky enough to know him.
Schwimmer posted the same photo and described Burrows as another father figure. He praised the director for bringing out the best in actors and making every show feel funnier and more moving. He also remembered the warmth, patience, and generosity that made performers feel safe on set. Lisa Kudrow added her own tribute through an Instagram Stories post from the set of The Comeback, thanking him for everything.
He Helped Launch One of Television’s Biggest Sitcoms
By the time Friends debuted, Burrows had already directed hit shows including The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Taxi, Frasier, 3rd Rock from the Sun, and Will & Grace. Still, he knew Friends was special the moment he read the pilot. He went on to direct 15 episodes, including the Emmy-nominated “The One with the Blackout,” and warned the cast the show would change their lives. They doubted him, but the sitcom soon became a global phenomenon.
Across his career, Burrows directed more than 1,000 television episodes and won 11 Emmy Awards. His work helped define the rhythm of modern sitcoms, from workplace comedies to ensemble shows built around friendship and timing. The tributes from LeBlanc, Schwimmer, and Kudrow show that his influence went far beyond camera angles and punchlines. To the actors who worked with him, James Burrows created a sense of family. That may be why his death has felt so personal to the people who helped bring his shows to life.