Jon Cryer has shared a lasting impression from his time working with late director and Cheers co-creator, James Burrows.
Burrows, who died Friday aged 85, directed 10 episodes of the 1995 one-season sitcom Partners, on which Cryer starred as aspiring architect Bob.
“There was a moment on a show I did with Jim called Partners where we realized the third act didn’t work so we had to, on the fly, completely rewrite and restage it in front of the audience,” the Two and a Half Men star wrote Friday on Threads in tribute to Burrows.
“As we threw out ideas he told me to ‘do a Newhart’ and I knew he meant for me to do those great perplexed stutters that Bob Newhart used to do and I realized I was getting shorthand from the greatest director of sitcoms to ever do it,” Cryer continued.
“He trusted me to give him what he knew would work. And he was right.”
Cryer went on: “I looked around the studio and realized I was where I always wanted to be. And how lucky I was. I will never forget that feeling. Thank you, Jim. It was an honor to know you.”
In addition to co-creating the enduring classic sitcom Cheers, 11-time Emmy winner Burrows was a prolific TV director of hit series like Will & Grace and several episodes of Friends and Frasier.
His family shared a statement acknowledging his death with People, writing, “We celebrate the extraordinary life and enduring legacy of James ‘Jimmy’ Burrows, who passed away peacefully today surrounded by his loving family.
“For more than five decades, Burrows was one of the most influential and beloved directors in television history. As a legendary director, mentor, and creative force, he helped shape generations of comedy and brought immeasurable joy to audiences around the world.”
Cryer was just one of the dozens of celebrities to pay tribute to Burrows.
Cheers star Ted Danson said in a statement per Deadline, “Jimmy was my show business father, my mentor and my friend. For 11 years his laughter taught me what was funny and what was not. Nothing made me happier than to make him laugh. I can only imagine that there are thousands of actors who feel the same way.
“Mary and I send all our love to his family. He will be in our hearts and our funny bones forever.”
Will & Grace star Eric McCormack shared on Instagram: “We lost a giant today, a mentor to me and a dear friend. #JamesBurrows directed every single episode of #Will&Grace… and pretty much everything else. 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.”
