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.

Jim Abrahams is known for work in writing across film and television. New Release currently presents 25 verified screen credits connected to this profile.

Selected work includes Kareem: Minority of One (2015), Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty (2022), The Naked Gun (2025), Airplane! (1980), The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988), Coming to America (1988), The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear (1991), Hot Shots! (1991). The recorded credits span 1976 to 2025, including 22 movies and 3 TV shows.

The filmography below lists available titles, release years and known roles. This profile is updated as additional verified information becomes available.