The world of American television is in mourning after the death at the age of 85 of James Burrows, the legendary director and creator of some of the most iconic comedies in history, such as “Cheers,” “Taxi” and “Frasier.”

The news of his death, confirmed by his family, unleashed a wave of mourning in Hollywood, including the loving tribute of actress Jennifer Aniston, who worked under his direction on the pilot episode of the acclaimed series “Friends.”

Through her official Instagram account, Aniston shared a moving message to honor the memory of the director, whom she affectionately referred to as “Daddy Burrows.” The interpreter confessed the profound difficulty of summarizing in a few lines the impact of a man who dedicated his entire life to making others feel loved.

"He was a father figure to me. He worried about me, he was happy for me, he taught me, guided me and supported me during the worst and best moments of my life," the actress wrote in her dedication, evidencing a close bond that transcended the screens.

Burrows, known for his human warmth and genius behind the cameras, often referred to the young protagonists of “Friends” simply as “the kids.” Aniston remembered with nostalgia how the director summoned them to the stage with phrases like “where are the children?” or “let's see if the children can make the joke work”, alleviating the pressures of production with humor and complicity.

Beyond the technical lessons, the actress highlighted the most valuable legacy that Burrows left on the cast: the importance of fraternity. According to Aniston, the director taught them to take care of, respect and support each other unconditionally, a principle that the group of actors adopted throughout their lives.

"I miss your voice. I miss your laugh. I miss your genius," the Emmy winner concluded, extending her gratitude to the filmmaker's biological children for having shared her wonderful presence.

His co-stars Matt LeBlanc and David Schwimmer have also joined this emotional goodbye.