“Will & Grace” stars Debra Messing and Eric McCormick remember James Burrows: 'Thank you for everything you gave us'

Sharareh Drury, Kathleen PerriconeSat, June 20, 2026 at 12:20 AM UTC

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James Burrows with Eric McCormack and Debra MessingCredit: Chris Haston/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via GettyKey Points -

The cast of Will & Grace is honoring James Burrows, who directed every episode of the hit sitcom.

Eric McCormack was the first to speak out, remembering Burrows as 'a mentor to me and a dear friend.'

Burrows called Will & Grace "probably the funniest show I ever did" in 2023.

The cast of Will & Grace is honoring James Burrows' legacy.

Burrows, who died on Friday at 85, directed all 246 episodes of Will & Grace during its two runs. The NBC sitcom followed the friendship of best friends Will Truman (played by Eric McCormack), a gay lawyer, and Grace Adler (Debra Messing), a straight interior designer.

McCormack was the first to break his silence on Burrow's passing, which came 28 years after Will & Grace premiered in 1998.

"We lost a giant today, a mentor to me and a dear friend," the actor wrote on Instagram. "The 800 lb gorilla of television comedy for fifty years, he was beloved by everyone, and has left not a mark but a footprint. An incredible legacy. Jimmy, thank you for everything you gave us. I love you. And I send so much love to Debbie and your whole beautiful family."

Messing shared several photos with Burrows from the set of Will & Grace, illustrating her fond memories working together for 11 seasons.

"I can't express the pain of his loss, and I know that is true for everyone who was lucky enough to be loved by him," she wrote on Instagram. "Jimmy changed my life 28 years ago and has been in my life ever since. He had a dry sense of humor but exploded in laughter when he orchestrated comic moments that landed. I wanted his laughs most of all."

"He loved and trusted his actors (which is rare in tv comedy)," Messing continued. "He let us play and explore and fail terribly and would always see the gem in what was happening, and like a conductor, he taught us how to play the music... Every person he allowed in his sphere felt respected, admired, and important. We were, are, family, and always will be. Every cast member who had the rare privilege of being directed by him for nearly a decade, felt like one of his kids. And today, we lost our TV dad."

Sean Hayes, who won an Emmy Award for his role as Will's friend Jack McFarland, reposted a touching tribute by his husband, Scott Icenogle, a composer who worked on Will & Grace.

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"The world lost a cultural, television icon today - James "Jimmy" Burrows," Icenogle captioned a snapshot of himself with Burrows and Hayes. "Jimmy was a dear friend and I am incredibly grateful to have had many fun times with him both personally and professionally. Sean and I are sending his incredible wife, Debbie, and his loving family all our love and support during this difficult time."

Tim Bagley, who recurred on Will & Grace as Larry and later worked with Burrows on the third season of The Comeback, tells EW that he first met James Burrows while he was a page at Paramount Studios in Hollywood, seating guests for live tapings of Cheers.

"He was a genius and I learned so much by just watching him work. Later, when I worked on Will & Grace he remembered me from when I was a page. He took my fellow page pal, Peter Chakos, under his wing while we were pages, and made Pete his primary editor," Bagley says. "He was always very generous and kind. As a director he was very specific. He'd say, 'slap your hand down on the bar to emphasize your last word Timmy, and then run out.' I would do it, and it got a big laugh and I never knew why. I trusted him completely. He had a clear vision and just knew how to make things funny. On The Comeback he had a beautiful speech about the importance of writers. I hope people replay that speech over and over. He loved writers and was so happy to be able to say those words on The Comeback. He always made me feel very special and talented. I am so grateful for the times I got to spend with him."

Burrows received 12 Emmy Award nominations for the series, winning the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series in 2000.

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The beloved director told Conan O'Brien in 2023 that Will & Grace was "probably the funniest show I ever did."

James Burrows with the cast of 'Will & Grace'Credit: Chris Haston/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

Describing it as "a fairytale, figuratively and literally," Burrows praised the cast's comedic chops. "The jokes are just so hard and strong, especially Karen's jokes and Jack's jokes... Will & Grace, laughs per page."

on Entertainment Weekly

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