James Burrows: The Quiet Man Who Makes America Laugh

摘要

He grew up in the shadow of his legendary father, the theatrical writer and director Abe Burrows (Guys and Dolls), whose name he still occasionally drops when he can't get Broadway tickets. But comedy director and producer James Burrows has become an industry legend in his own right. Winner of 10 Emmys, four Directors Guild of America awards and the 1996 American Comedy Awards' Creative Achievement Award, he is the Guild's most nominated director in the history of television. "He's the reigning genius of the medium," says Kelsey Grammer, who worked with him on Cheers and Frasier. "He encourages people to be their best—and he catches it on camera." A gentle, calm man, Burrows resembles his late father in other ways, including his habit of pacing back and forth while he works. "He would trundle me off to rehearsal, and a lot of my technique is inspired by him. He always paced," Burrows says. "And don't watch the camera. I listen."