{"id":881575,"date":"2026-06-21T00:08:16","date_gmt":"2026-06-21T00:08:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/881575\/"},"modified":"2026-06-21T00:08:16","modified_gmt":"2026-06-21T00:08:16","slug":"jennifer-aniston-friends-co-stars-pay-tribute-to-james-burrows","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/881575\/","title":{"rendered":"Jennifer Aniston & ‘Friends’ Co-Stars Pay Tribute To James Burrows"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n\tWith the death of James Burrows<\/a>, stars of the most beloved sitcoms are mourning the loss of the multi-cam medium\u2019s most decorated director.<\/p>\n

\n\tFollowing Burrows\u2019 death at age 85<\/a>, Jennifer Aniston<\/a> paid tribute to the \u201cfather figure\u201d who directed 15 episodes of the hit NBC series in which she starred as Rachel Green, including the pilot and most of the first season, as her co-stars also mourned the loss.<\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cOh boy\u2026 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,\u201d she wrote on Instagram<\/a>. \u201cHe called us his \u2018kids\u2019 \u2014\u00a0\u2018Where are the kids?\u2019\u2028\u2019Let\u2019s see if the kids can make the joke work.\u2019 No pressure.<\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cHis own incredible children were generous enough to share him with all of us who were lucky enough to experience his unicorn presence.\u00a0He 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tAniston added, \u201cMost of all, he taught us\u2014the kids\u2014how important it is to love and respect one another. To take care of each other. To have each other\u2019s backs and support each other, no matter what. And we did just that.\u00a0I miss your voice. I miss your laugh. I miss your brilliance. Wherever you are, I hope someone is asking, \u2018Where are the kids?’\u201d<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Lisa<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tInstagram \/ lisakudrow<\/p>\n

\n\tCourteney Cox, who played Monica Geller, wrote on Instagram<\/a>, \u201cJimmy B called me Cox-N-Hammer. I have no idea why or what it means, but I just went with it \u2019cause he was Jimmy Burrows. He always referred to us as \u2018the kids\u2019\u2026 he took the cast under his wing and taught us everything we needed to know \u2014 whether through his direction, or telling us how things in our lives were gonna unfold \u2014 never sugar-coating anything and he was always right.<\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cI 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!<\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cI\u2019m 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\u2026 well, that and his wonderful kids and his beautiful wife, Debbie. I so loved watching them fall in love. I will miss you so much Jimmy\u2026 the joy and laughter you brought to everyone who knew you. How much you cared\u2026 but I know your light will always be shining on us,\u201d added Cox.<\/p>\n

\n\tPhoebe Buffay actress Lisa Kudrow<\/a> shared a behind-the-scenes photo of the two of them from the recent third and final season of The Comeback, in which he played himself. \u201cThank you Jimmy. I mean, for everything\u2026\u201d she wrote on her Instagram Story.<\/p>\n

\n\tDavid Schwimmer<\/a>, the actor known for his role as Ross Geller, penned a touching tribute. \u201cJimmy 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,\u201d he started on Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cHis warmth, humility and generosity made us feel safe, like family, and I\u2019m sure we weren\u2019t the only cast to feel that way. He looked out for us, on camera and off. He became another father figure for me, and I\u2019m sure others. Paternal in the best sense of the word: Loving, wise, encouraging, challenging, instructive, patient, inspiring, playful\u2014and on my best days, I\u2019d like to think, even proud.<\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cThousands 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,\u201d added Schwimmer. \u201cJimmy, I miss you already and I\u2019m forever grateful to you. Thank you for being such a wonderful director, mentor and friend. Sending love and strength to Deb and the entire family. x Schwim\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tMatt LeBlanc<\/a>, who played Joey Tribbiani, shared a selfie with Burrows with a statement. \u201cJimmy, 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,\u201d he wrote on Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\n\tBurrows died in his sleep on Friday morning after a brief illness. During his storied career, Burrows directed more than 1,000 episodes of some of TV\u2019s most iconic sitcoms, including Cheers, which he co-created, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, 3rd Rock from the Sun, Frasier, Two and a Half Men, The Big Bang Theory, 2 Broke Girls, Will & Grace and Mid-Century Modern.<\/p>\n