Jim Abrahams

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

Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty

Airplane!

Coming to America

Top Secret!

Oscar

The Kentucky Fried Movie

Hearts of Hot Shots! Part Deux—A Filmmaker's Apology

Kareem: Minority of One

All Movies (9)

• FAT: A Documentary2019 · as Self - Father / Founder, Charlie Foundation / Filmmaker
• Kareem: Minority of One2015 · as Self
• Hearts of Hot Shots! Part Deux—A Filmmaker's Apology1993
• Oscar1991 · as Postman (uncredited)
• Coming to America1988 · as Face on Cutting Room Floor
• Top Secret!1984 · as German Soldier in Prop Room (uncredited)
• Cocaine Blues1983 · as Himself
• Airplane!1980 · as Religious Zealot #6
• The Kentucky Fried Movie1977 · as Various

All TV Shows (1)

• Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty2022 · as Jim Abrahams