Will and Grace’s Eric McCormack reunited with his co-stars at the funeral of the sitcom’s late director James Burrows.
Will and Grace’s Eric McCormack, Debra Messing, Sean Hayes and Megan Mullally
On Tuesday (23.06.26), the 63-year-old actor (Will Truman), 57-year-old Debra Messing (Grace Adler) and 56-year-old Sean Hayes (Jack McFarland) attended the service at Mount Sinai Memorial Park in Los Angeles, four days after he died at the age of 85.
Eric told Us Weekly: “Sadly, we all saw each other a few days ago because of Jimmy Burrows’ funeral.
“I hadn’t seen Debra in years, and it is always great to see her. I saw Sean Hayes. Not so great for the reason, but Jimmy always brought us together on that stage every week, and he brought us together again.”
Will and Grace’s creators, Max Mutchnick, 60, and David Kohan, 62, also attended and were among the speakers at James’ funeral.
Known throughout the television industry as “Jimmy”, he executive-produced and directed all 246 episodes of Will and Grace over its original run (1998-2006) and its 2017 revival, which ended in 2020.
Asked for his favourite memory of the TV mogul, Eric replied: “Oh, too many to quote and in print it wouldn’t look so good because you’d have to do the Jimmy Burrows voice.
“But my favourite was when I asked him if he thought maybe we’d get a second season. He looked at me and said, ‘Jesus Christ, McCormack. Buy a house.’
“He did [believe in us]. He knew.”
James – who co-created Cheers with Glen Charles, 83, and Les Charles, and worked on other comedies, including Friends, Two and a Half Men, and The Big Bang Theory – died surrounded by family, according to a statement released to People.
After news of the 11-time Emmy winner’s death, Eric, Debra, and Sean paid tribute on Instagram.
Eric posted a shot of him and James on the Will and Grace set, with the caption: “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. (sic)”
Debra captioned multiple pictures of herself and James over the years: “James Burrows was a legend. An Icon. A singular talent and revolutionary in television. He brought laughter and love into more homes, globally, than any other TV director in history.
“To me he was Jimmy. To my son, he was Papa Jimmy. (sic)”
She continued: “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. Jimmy changed my life 28 years ago and has been in my life ever since.
“He had a dry sense of humour 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). He let us play and explore and fail terribly and would always see the gem in what was happening, and like a master conductor, he taught us how to play the music.
“He was quiet and serious, but also very committed to finishing rehearsal so he could make his tee time. He loved talent. He was thrilled by it.
“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. (sic)”
Debra concluded: “I love you Jimmy. Find the clowns up there. They need direction. May his memory be a blessing. May Debbie, his kids and grandkids be surrounded with love now. (sic)”
And Sean reposted his 56-year-old husband, music composer Scott Icenogle’s tribute, which accompanied a selfie of them with James, on his Instagram Stories.
It read: “The world lost a cultural, television icon today – James ‘Jimmy’ Burrows. 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. #JamesBurrows (sic).”
