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Photo of Jim Abrahams

Jim Abrahams

Writer, Producer, Director, Actor, Additional Credits
Born May 10, 1944Died 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.

Movies & Shows on Plex

  • The Kentucky Fried Movie
  • Welcome Home, Roxy Carmichael

Known For

  • Airplane!
  • The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!
  • Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult
  • Hot Shots!
  • Hot Shots! Part Deux
  • Top Secret!
  • The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear
  • Scary Movie 4
  • Cry-Baby
  • The Kentucky Fried Movie
  • Big Business
  • Mafia!
  • Police Squad!
  • Welcome Home, Roxy Carmichael
  • Ruthless People
  • ...First Do No Harm
  • Brain Donors

Jim Abrahams 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
Police Squad! (TV Series)
1980
1977
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
1984
Top Secret! · as Executive Producer
1982
Police Squad! (TV Series)
1980
Airplane! · as Executive Producer

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
1962

2022
Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty (TV Series) · as Jim Abrahams
2019
Fat: A Documentary · as Self - Father / Founder, Charlie Foundation / Filmmaker
2015
2012
CBS Saturday Morning (TV Series) · as Self
1997
The Directors (TV Series) · as Self
1996
Life and Times (TV Series) · as Self
1994
Movie Magic (TV Series) · as Self - Director
1987
Biography (TV Series) · as Self
1982
Late Night With David Letterman (TV Series) · as Self
1972
The Midnight Special (TV Series) · as Self - Member Of 'kentucky Fried Theater'

2018
Late Night Berlin (TV Series) · 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

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