Eric McCormack reflects on how, while honoring the death of Jimmy Burrows, the Will & Grace cast found itself in a bittersweet reunion, balancing grief and affection during Burrows' funeral. Legendary television director and Cheers co-creator Jimmy Burrows passed away on June 19, 2026, at the age of 85, after a brief illness. Known for directing over 1,000 episodes of iconic sitcoms, including Friends and Will & Grace, he shaped modern American sitcom rhythm and ensemble comedy.

Honoring the influential television director brought the long-awaited reunion together, though the circumstances remained deeply unfortunate.

Jimmy Burrows brought the cast of Will & Grace together recently. Eric McCormack, speaking exclusively to Us Weekly while attending the Project Angel Food red carpet in Hollywood, reflected on how the reunion unfolded after the group had recently gathered for Burrows funeral. The moment felt unexpectedly emotional.

“He did [believe in us]. He knew,” McCormack said Burrows always trusted the ensemble and pushed them toward confidence even in early uncertainty, including moments when he questioned whether the series would continue beyond its first season. That faith shaped into one of his most favorite memories of Jimmy Burrows, despite having "too many to quote".

And it seems like Burrows was right as Will & Grace went on to gain monumental success, running for not two seasons but eleven of them, finishing off with a grand total of 246 episodes. The show’s sharp writing and immense cultural impact earned it 18 Emmy Awards, with every core cast member winning at least one, cementing its legacy in American television history and in ensemble comedy for generations of viewers worldwide.

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In fact, those who knew Jimmy Burrows remember his rare ability to build sitcom gold that outlives generations and still feels fresh today.

Jimmy Burrows did not simply direct sitcoms. He built the blueprint for many of television's biggest comfort watches, helping shape Cheers, Friends, Taxi, The Big Bang Theory, and every episode of Will & Grace. Along the way, he even spilled the Lisa Kudrow's Frasier exit story, proving his behind-the-scenes tales could be almost as memorable as the shows themselves.

His influence stretched far beyond the director's chair. Burrows introduced a fourth camera to the traditional sitcom format, giving performers greater freedom while sharpening comedic timing. Networks repeatedly trusted him with launching new series, and his remarkable record of turning pilots into long-running hits made him the industry's unofficial good-luck charm.

More than a thousand directed episodes later, Burrows left behind a television legacy few will ever match. His shows continue finding new audiences decades later, making laughter one of his most enduring creations. It also explains why saying goodbye to Burrows became an emotional reunion for the Will & Grace family.

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