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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

  • Scary Movie 4
  • The Kentucky Fried Movie
  • Welcome Home, Roxy Carmichael

Known For

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

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

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