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

Airplane!

as Religious Zealot #6

Coming to America

as Face on Cutting Room Floor

Top Secret!

as German Soldier in Prop Room (uncredited)

Oscar

as Postman (uncredited)

The Kentucky Fried Movie

as Various

Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty

as Jim Abrahams

Kareem: Minority of One

as Self

FAT: A Documentary

as Self - Father / Founder, Charlie Foundation / Filmmaker

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

Cocaine Blues

as Himself