Jim Abrahams
Writer, Producer, Director, Actor
May 10, 1944 — November 26, 2024 (80 years)
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
| 2025 | The Naked Gun · as Original Film Writer |
| 2006 | Scary Movie 4 · as Screenplay |
| 1998 | Mafia! · as Screenplay |
| 1993 | Hot Shots! Part Deux · as Screenplay |
| 1991 | |
| 1988 | |
| 1984 | Top Secret! · as Screenplay |
| 1982 | |
| 1980 | |
| 1977 | The Kentucky Fried MovieOn Plex |
| 1976 |
| 1997 | |
| 1994 | Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult · as Executive Producer |
| 1992 | Brain Donors · as Executive Producer |
| 1991 | The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear · as Executive Producer |
| 1990 | Cry-Baby · as Executive Producer |
| 1988 | The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! · as Executive Producer |
| 1984 | Top Secret! · as Executive Producer |
| 1982 | |
| 1980 | Airplane! · as Executive Producer |
| 1998 | |
| 1997 | |
| 1993 | |
| 1991 | |
| 1990 | |
| 1988 | |
| 1986 | |
| 1984 | |
| 1982 | |
| 1980 |
| 1991 | Oscar · as Postman (uncredited) |
| 1988 | Coming to America · as Face On Cutting Room Floor |
| 1984 | Top Secret! · as German Soldier In Prop Room (uncredited) |
| 1980 | Airplane! · as Religious Zealot #6 |
| 1977 | The Kentucky Fried Movie · as VariousOn Plex |
| 1962 | The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson · as Cast |
| 2022 | Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty · as Jim Abrahams |
| 2019 | Fat: A Documentary · as Self - Father / Founder, Charlie Foundation / Filmmaker |
| 2015 | Kareem: Minority of One · as Self |
| 2012 | CBS Saturday Morning · as Self |
| 1997 | The Directors · as Self |
| 1996 | Life and Times · as Self |
| 1994 | Movie Magic · as Self - Director |
| 1987 | Biography · as Self |
| 1982 | Late Night With David Letterman · as Self |
| 1972 | The Midnight Special · as Self - Member Of 'kentucky Fried Theater' |
| 2018 | Late Night Berlin · as Creative Producer |
| 1994 | Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult · as Television Series: "police Squad" |
| 1991 | The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear · as Original Series Creator |