Person

Jim Abrahams

Writing · 1944–2024 · Shorewood, Wisconsin, USA

Biography

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

Filmography

2025The Naked GunOriginal Film Writer
2022Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers DynastyJim Abrahams
2019FAT: A DocumentarySelf - Father / Founder, Charlie Foundation / Filmmaker
2015Kareem: Minority of OneSelf
2006Scary Movie 4Screenplay
1998Jane Austen's Mafia!Director
1997...First Do No HarmDirector
1994Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final InsultExecutive Producer
1994An Introduction to the Ketogenic DietDirector
1993Hot Shots! Part DeuxDirector
1993Hearts of Hot Shots! Part Deux—A Filmmaker's Apology
1992Brain DonorsExecutive Producer
1991Hot Shots!Director
1991The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of FearExecutive Producer
1991OscarPostman (uncredited)
1990Welcome Home, Roxy CarmichaelDirector
1990Cry-BabyExecutive Producer
1988The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!Writer
1988Coming to AmericaFace on Cutting Room Floor
1988Big BusinessDirector
1986Ruthless PeopleDirector
1984Top Secret!German Soldier in Prop Room (uncredited)
1983Cocaine BluesHimself
1982Police Squad!Writer
1980Airplane!Religious Zealot #6
1977The Kentucky Fried MovieVarious
1976Big John, Little JohnWriter

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