Jennifer Aniston has paid an emotional tribute to her “father figure” James Burrows following his death.
Jennifer Aniston has paid tribute to James Burrows
The acclaimed television director – whose credits included The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Taxi, Cheers, Frasier, Will and Grace, 3rd Rock From the Sun, Two and a Half Men, Mike and Molly and The Big Bang Theory – passed away on Friday (19.06.26) at the age of 85, and Jennifer admitted she felt the “pressure” to craft a message that matched the love he had always shown her and her co-stars while making Friends.
She wrote on Instagram: “Oh boy … [broken heart emoji] Papa Burrows. The hardest thing about writing this is that you spent a lifetime making people feel loved, and now it feels impossible to put all of that love into a few paragraphs.
“He called us his ‘kids’ — ‘Where are the kids?’ ‘Let’s see if the kids can make the joke work.’ No pressure. (heart emoji).
“His own incredible children were generous enough to share him with all of us who were lucky enough to experience his unicorn presence.
“He was a father figure to me. He always checked in on me. He worried about me, celebrated me, taught me, guided me and held me through the hardest times and the best of times. He spoiled us rotten.
“Most of all, he taught us — the kids — how important it is to love and respect one another. To take care of each other. To have each other’s backs and support each other, no matter what. And we did just that.(sic)”
Like Jennifer, her co-star Courteney Cox also recalled how James referred to the cast as “kids” as she reflected on what an important influence he had been to the stars of the beloved comedy series.
She wrote on her own Instagram account: “I will miss you so much Jimmy… the joy and laughter you brought to everyone who knew you. How much you cared… but I know your light will always be shining on us.
“Jimmy B called me Cox-N-Hammer. I have no idea why or what it means, but I just went with it ‘cause he was Jimmy Burrows.
“He always referred to us as ‘the kids’… he took the cast under his wing and taught us everything we needed to know — whether through his direction, or telling us how things in our lives were gonna unfold — never sugar-coating anything and he was always right.
“I would beg him to make more time to direct us, but so did all of his other shows, because everything was better when he was around. You felt safe and confident and man, what a blast we had!
“I’m not sure how someone with that much talent, wisdom, and adoration could be so egoless. Making anything the best it could be was all that mattered to Jimmy… well, that and his wonderful kids and his beautiful wife, Debbie. I so loved watching them fall in love.(sic)”
Jennifer and Courteney’s tributes came after their Friends co-stars Matt LeBlanc, David Schwimmer and Lisa Kudrow also remembered James.
Friends star Matt LeBlanc wrote on Instagram: “Jimmy, words cannot describe the impact and influence you had on us and everyone who was lucky enough to have known you.
“You sir are a true icon on so many levels. Well wishes in your next act. You will be missed. God Bless.”
His co-star David Schwimmer shared: “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. 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.
“Loving, wise, encouraging, challenging, instructive, patient, inspiring, playful – and on my best days, I’d like to think, even proud. 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. Jimmy, I miss you already and I’m forever grateful to you. Thank you for being such a wonderful director, mentor and friend.”
And Lisa Kudrow, who also worked with Burrows on The Comeback, posted a picture of them on set together.
James is survived by his wife Debbie Burrows, his four daughters and seven grandchildren.
