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

Career Timeline

197719831989199520012007201320192025
  1. 2025
    The Naked Gun

    Original Film Writer • Writing

  2. 2006
    Scary Movie 4

    Screenplay • Writing

  3. 1998
    Jane Austen's Mafia!

    Screenplay • Writing

  4. 1993
    Hot Shots! Part Deux

    Screenplay • Writing

  5. 1993
    Hot Shots! Part Deux

    Characters • Writing

  6. 1991
    Hot Shots!

    Writer • Writing

  7. 1991
    The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear

    Original Series Creator • Writing

  8. 1988
Jim Abrahams - Aperture