Jim Abrahams
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.
Acting
Movie
Airplane!
as Religious Zealot #6
1980
Movie
Coming to America
as Face on Cutting Room Floor
1988
Movie
Top Secret!
as German Soldier in Prop Room (uncredited)
1984
Movie
Oscar
as Postman (uncredited)
1991
Movie
The Kentucky Fried Movie
as Various
1977
TV
Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty
as Jim Abrahams
2022
Movie
Kareem: Minority of One
as Self
2015
Movie
FAT: A Documentary
as Self - Father / Founder, Charlie Foundation / Filmmaker
2019
Movie
Hearts of Hot Shots! Part Deux—A Filmmaker's Apology
1993
Movie
Cocaine Blues
as Himself
1983
Crew
Movie
Airplane!
Executive Producer
1980
Movie
The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!
Writer
1988
Movie
Scary Movie 4
Screenplay
2006
Movie
The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear
Executive Producer
1991
Movie
Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult
Executive Producer
1994
Movie
Hot Shots!
Director
1991
Movie
Hot Shots! Part Deux
Director
1993
Movie
The Naked Gun
Original Film Writer
2025
Movie
Cry-Baby
Executive Producer
1990
Movie
Top Secret!
Screenplay
1984
Movie
Ruthless People
Director
1986
TV
Police Squad!
Producer
1982