A host of Hollywood stars including Jennifer Aniston, Debra Messing and Rhea Perlman turned out to honour legendary Tv director James Burrows on Monday night (07Oct13).

The man who helmed huge U.S. hits including Friends, Will & Grace, Cheers and The Big Bang Theory was feted in front a star-studded crowd at the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in Los Angeles.

Perlman, who played bolshy barmaid Carla under Burrows' direction in Cheers, took to the stage to say, "He's the greatest director there is. He makes you think that you're funny, but really, he made you funny."

Veteran star Bob Newhart also joined his pal onstage while clutching the Emmy Award he recently won for his turn in The Big Bang Theory, telling Burrows, "I never let it out of my sight. I take it in the shower with me."

Other actors who turned out to see Burrows' recognised for his stellar career included Perlman's husband Danny DeVito, Christopher Lloyd, Beau Bridges, Eric MCCormack and writer Chuck Lorre.