Jim Abrahams
Writing
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
Writing12
movieThe Naked Gun
2025
Original Film Writer
movieScary Movie 4
2006
Screenplay
movieJane Austen's Mafia!
1998
Screenplay
movieHot Shots! Part Deux
1993
Screenplay, Characters
movieHot Shots!
1991
Writer
movieThe Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear
1991
Original Series Creator
movieTop Secret!
1984
Screenplay
tvPolice Squad!
1982
Writer
movieAirplane!
1980
Writer
Directing11
movieJane Austen's Mafia!
1998
Director
movie...First Do No Harm
1997
Director
movieHot Shots! Part Deux
1993
Director
movieHot Shots!
1991
Director
movieBig Business
1988
Director
movieRuthless People
1986
Director
movieTop Secret!
1984
Director
tvPolice Squad!
1982
Director
movieAirplane!
1980
Director
Acting10
movieFAT: A Documentary
2019
Self - Father / Founder, Charlie Foundation / Filmmaker
movieOscar
1991
Postman (uncredited)
movieComing to America
1988
Face on Cutting Room Floor
movieTop Secret!
1984
German Soldier in Prop Room (uncredited)
movieCocaine Blues
1983
Himself
movieAirplane!
1980
Religious Zealot #6
Production9
movie...First Do No Harm
1997
Producer
movieNaked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult
1994
Executive Producer
movieBrain Donors
1992
Executive Producer
movieThe Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear
1991
Executive Producer
movieCry-Baby
1990
Executive Producer
movieThe Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!
1988
Executive Producer
movieTop Secret!
1984
Executive Producer
tvPolice Squad!
1982
Producer
movieAirplane!
1980
Executive Producer
Creator1
tvPolice Squad!
1982
Creator