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.

Movies & TV Shows

1. Airplane! (1980) — Religious Zealot #6
2. Coming to America (1988) — Face on Cutting Room Floor
3. Top Secret! (1984) — German Soldier in Prop Room (uncredited)
4. Oscar (1991) — Postman (uncredited)
5. The Kentucky Fried Movie (1977) — Various
6. Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty (2022) — Jim Abrahams
7. Kareem: Minority of One (2015) — Self
8. FAT: A Documentary (2019) — Self - Father / Founder, Charlie Foundation / Filmmaker
9. Hearts of Hot Shots! Part Deux—A Filmmaker's Apology (1993)
10. Cocaine Blues (1983) — Himself

Directed

1. Airplane! (1980) — Director
2. Hot Shots! (1991) — Director
3. Hot Shots! Part Deux (1993) — Director
4. Top Secret! (1984) — Director
5. Ruthless People (1986) — Director
6. Police Squad! (1982) — Director
7. Big Business (1988) — Director
8. Jane Austen's Mafia! (1998) — Director
9. Welcome Home, Roxy Carmichael (1990) — Director
10. ...First Do No Harm (1997) — Director
11. An Introduction to the Ketogenic Diet (1994) — Director