James Burrows Net Worth

What is James Burrows' net worth and salary?

James Burrows is a celebrated and highly influential American television director and producer with an impressive net worth of $600 million. Renowned for directing over 1,000 television episodes, Burrows co-created the iconic sitcom "Cheers," which enjoyed an 11-season run. He also directed numerous beloved series such as "Taxi," "Frasier," "Friends," "Will & Grace," and "The Big Bang Theory." Throughout his illustrious career, Burrows has won 11 Emmy Awards, solidifying his legacy in the entertainment industry.

Early Life

James Edward Burrows was born on December 30, 1940, in Los Angeles, California. His father, Abe Burrows, was a distinguished director, author, and composer. During his childhood, James and his family relocated to New York City for Abe's work. He attended New York's High School of Music and Art, later pursuing higher education at Oberlin College and then the Yale School of Drama.

After graduating from Yale, James returned to Los Angeles, securing a job as a dialogue coach on one of his father's shows. He briefly worked on the stage adaptation of Breakfast at Tiffany's, featuring Mary Tyler Moore as Holly Golightly. Later, he collaborated with Moore's company, MTM Enterprises, directing episodes of The Mary Tyler Moore Show and The Bob Newhart Show.

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Cheers

While collaborating with MTM Enterprises, James met Glen and Les Charles. The Charles brothers entrusted him to direct 76 episodes of Taxi. In 1982, Glen, Les, and James co-created "Cheers," one of the most popular and successful shows of all time. Burrows directed 237 of the show's 275 episodes.

Royalties

Hollywood legend suggests that James Burrows earns $100 per minute from residuals alone, translating to $144,000 per day and $50 million annually. While these figures may seem fantastical, they underscore Burrows' extraordinary success and influence in Hollywood.

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Other Success

The 1990s saw James Burrows extend his directorial excellence to hit comedies like Frasier, Friends, 3rd Rock from the Sun, Dharma & Greg, and Will & Grace. Between 2000 and 2010, he directed several popular series, including Two and a Half Men, The Big Bang Theory, Mike & Molly, 2 Broke Girls, and Friends with Better Lives. Burrows has also made cameo appearances in some of these shows.

Nominated for 15 Directors Guild of America awards and an Emmy award almost every year between 1980 and 2005 (except for 1997), Burrows has won 10 Emmy Awards. He is credited with expanding the multi-camera television shoot from three to four cameras, improving comic timing, and incorporating sophisticated lighting in television studios.

Personal Life

James Burrows has been married to his former hairstylist, Debbie Easton, for many years. He was previously married to Linda Solomon. He has three daughters and a stepdaughter from these relationships.

Real Estate

In 2015, James and Debbie purchased a 1-bedroom New York City apartment for $4.2 million, listing it for $6.75 million in 2017. They also sold a 250+ acre farm in Millbrook, New York for $15 million in 2011.

The couple's primary residence is a 13,000 square-foot mansion in LA's Bel-Air, bought in 2004 for $11.94 million. The property features six bedrooms, a guest house, tennis court, and a pool. They renovated the mansion soon after purchasing it. In June 2022, they listed the home for $38 million, later reducing the price to $28 million in July 2024.

In Florida, they own two properties in the exclusive Wellington community, purchased for $2.52 million in 2015 and $999,000 in 2018. In 2021, they bought a Laguna Beach home for $15 million and also acquired a La Quinta home for $3.3 million.

Here is a video tour of the Burrows' Bel-Air mansion: