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Ted Danson: Jimmy Burrows Was My Showbiz Dad
16 Aug
Summary
- Ted Danson honored director Jimmy Burrows as his 'dad in show business'.
- Burrows guided Danson, teaching him how to make the director laugh.
- Woody Harrelson's addition to Cheers was called a 'godsend' by Burrows.
During the TV Academy's 2026 Televerse Festival Hall of Fame event, Ted Danson fondly remembered director James Burrows, referring to him as his "dad in show business." Burrows, who co-created and directed the majority of Cheers episodes, passed away at 85 in June 2026. Danson expressed that Burrows' direction was so influential that he struggled to play Sam Malone when Burrows wasn't present.
Burrows himself had previously lauded Woody Harrelson's 2025 addition to the Cheers cast as Woody Boyd, calling the actor a "godsend." Harrelson's comedic timing and energy reportedly kept the cast amused and prevented boredom as the show entered its fourth season. Burrows recounted an instance where he asked Harrelson to jump over the bar, a feat Danson couldn't replicate, which became a comedic element.
The legendary director also worked on numerous other iconic shows throughout his career, including The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Taxi, Frasier, Friends, Will & Grace, and The Big Bang Theory. Cheers concluded its 11-season run in 1993.
