Jennifer Aniston has paid a heartfelt tribute to longtime “Friends” director James Burrows. She described him as “a father figure” after his death at 85.

The actress shared her message on Instagram on Saturday. She reflected on his influence on her life and career.

Aniston Remembers a Mentor

“Papa Burrows. The hardest thing about writing this is that you spent a lifetime making people feel loved, and now it feels impossible to put all of that love into a few paragraphs,” Aniston wrote.

She said Burrows often referred to the cast as his children. “He called us his ‘kids. ‘Where are the kids?’ ‘Let’s see if the kids can make the joke work.’ No pressure.”

Aniston also said he supported her beyond the set. She described him as a constant source of care and guidance.

“He was a father figure to me,” she wrote.

A Television Legacy

Burrows is widely regarded as one of television’s most influential directors. He helped shape the modern sitcom.

He worked on “Friends” and co-created “Cheers.” He also directed “Taxi,” “Will & Grace,” “Frasier,” “The Big Bang Theory,” and “Two and a Half Men.”

A Final Tribute

Aniston closed her message with reflections on his values. She spoke about the importance of kindness and support within the cast.

“Most of all, he taught us—the kids—how important it is to love and respect one another. To take care of each other. To have each other’s backs and support each other, no matter what. And we did just that.”

She ended by saying she misses him deeply. She added that she hopes someone still asks, “Where are the kids?”