Jim Abrahams

About

Jim Abrahams (May 10, 1944 – November 26, 2024) was an American movie director and writer. Abrahams was born in Shorewood, Wisconsin, to a Jewish family, and attended Shorewood High School. He was known for the spoof movies that he co-wrote and produced with brothers Jerry Zucker and David Zucker, such as Airplane! (for which he was nominated for a BAFTA Award for Best Screenplay) and The Naked Gun series. The team of Zucker, Abrahams and Zucker (also referred to as "ZAZ") really began when the three men grew up together in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Abrahams later produced movies on his own such as Big Business, and further honed his skills in parody with Hot Shots! and its 1993 sequel Hot Shots! Part Deux.

Known for

The Naked GunMovie • 2025Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers DynastySeries • 2022Airplane!Movie • 1980Coming to AmericaMovie • 1988Scary Movie 4Movie • 2006The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!Movie • 1988Hot Shots! Part DeuxMovie • 1993Hot Shots!Movie • 1991Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final InsultMovie • 1994Police Squad!Series • 1982The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of FearMovie • 1991Top Secret!Movie • 1984Cry-BabyMovie • 1990OscarMovie • 1991Ruthless PeopleMovie • 1986The Kentucky Fried MovieMovie • 1977Big BusinessMovie • 1988Jane Austen's Mafia!Movie • 1998Welcome Home, Roxy CarmichaelMovie • 1990Brain DonorsMovie • 1992...First Do No HarmMovie • 1997