David Zucker

David Zucker

77 · Born: Oct 16, 1947

Personal Details

Official Socials
BornOct 16, 1947 Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
Parents
  • Charlotte Zucker
  • Burton Zucker
Relatives
  • Jerry Zucker (Sibling)
  • Susan Breslau (Sibling)

Biography

Born on October 16, 1947, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA, David Zucker has made a lasting impact on the film industry as a director, writer, and producer. Alongside his brother Jerry and longtime friend Jim Abrahams, Zucker has established himself as one of Hollywood's most successful filmmakers.

After college, the trio created the Kentucky Fried Theater on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus, which quickly gained popularity and led to their move to California in 1972. They went on to become the most successful small theater group in Los Angeles history.

Their success with the Kentucky Fried Theater led to the creation of the 1980 film Airplane!, which broke all conventions and became a surprise hit. This film is often credited with creating a new film genre, and it launched a streak of hilarious movies, including Top Secret! and Ruthless People.

Zucker continued to work on his own, directing films such as The Naked Gun trilogy, BASEketball, Scary Movie 3 and 4, and others. He also produced successful films like A Walk in the Clouds and Phone Booth.

In addition to his work in the entertainment industry, Zucker has been a prominent advocate for environmental causes. He has served on the board of TreePeople, an LA-based organization dedicated to promoting community-based tree planting and ecological solutions. Zucker has worked closely with the organization's founder, Andy Lipkis, and has received numerous honors for his efforts, including the annual Evergreen Award.

Zucker's most recent projects include a feature script for the comedy film The Star of Malta, set in the Film Noir era, and an international spy thriller titled "Counter Intellijence!".

Career

{"id":1241,"title":"Scary Movie V","year":"2013","character":"Packer Fan (uncredited)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/scary-movie-v","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/t8k74p7g0ok0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/t8k74p7g0ok0.jpg"},"released":1}
2013
Scary Movie V
Scary Movie V as Packer Fan (uncredited)
{"id":2577,"title":"Scary Movie 4","year":"2006","character":"Zoltar (voice)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/scary-movie-4","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/3frjlloh3fe0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/3frjlloh3fe0.jpg"},"released":1}
2006
Scary Movie 4
Scary Movie 4 as Zoltar (voice)
{"id":2767,"title":"BASEketball","year":"1998","character":"Man with Shooting Hot Dog (uncredited)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/baseketball","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/5706j44urkr0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/5706j44urkr0.jpg"},"released":1}
1998
BASEketball
BASEketball as Man with Shooting Hot Dog (uncredited)
{"id":57737,"title":"Your Studio and You","year":"1995","character":"David Zucker","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/your-studio-and-you","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_57737.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_57737.jpg"},"released":1}
1995
Your Studio and You
Your Studio and You as David Zucker
{"id":2053,"title":"Naked Gun 33 1\/3: The Final Insult","year":"1994","character":"Teleprompter Guy","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/naked-gun-33-13-the-final-insult","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/5o7u1hjt0rt0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/5o7u1hjt0rt0.jpg"},"released":1}
1994
{"id":2054,"title":"The Naked Gun 2\u00bd: The Smell of Fear","year":"1991","character":"Davy Crockett","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-naked-gun-2-the-smell-of-fear","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/41nf0ko8ut60.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/41nf0ko8ut60.jpg"},"released":1}
1991
{"id":5732,"title":"Top Secret!","year":"1984","character":"German Soldier in Prop Room (uncredited)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/top-secret","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/5dvjcgqsvru0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/5dvjcgqsvru0.jpg"},"released":1}
1984
Top Secret!
Top Secret! as German Soldier in Prop Room (uncredited)
{"id":1249,"title":"Airplane!","year":"1980","character":"Ground Crewman #2","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/airplane","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/1klgvdl3trv0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/1klgvdl3trv0.jpg"},"released":1}
1980
Airplane!
Airplane! as Ground Crewman #2
{"id":17554,"title":"The Kentucky Fried Movie","year":"1977","character":"Man (segment \"His New Car\") \/ Technician #2 (segment \"Eyewitness News\") \/ Grunwald (segment \"Courtroom\")","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-kentucky-fried-movie","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/16e5guolnhq8.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/16e5guolnhq8.jpg"},"released":1}
1977
The Kentucky Fried Movie
The Kentucky Fried Movie as Man (segment "His New Car") / Technician #2 (segment "Eyewitness News") / Grunwald (segment "Courtroom")
{"id":284018,"title":"When We Went MAD!","year":"2025","character":null,"permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/when-we-went-mad","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_284018.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_284018.jpg"},"released":1}
2025
{"id":103837054,"title":"The History of Comedy","year":2017,"character":null,"permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/show\/the-history-of-comedy","type":"show","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/show_103837054.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/show_103837054.jpg"},"released":1}
2017
{"id":108663,"title":"O.J.: Made in America","year":"2016","character":null,"permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/oj-made-in-america","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_108663.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_108663.jpg"},"released":1}
2016
{"id":89695,"title":"Kareem: Minority of One","year":"2015","character":null,"permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/kareem-minority-of-one","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_89695.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_89695.jpg"},"released":1}
2015
{"id":1241,"title":"Scary Movie V","year":"2013","job":"Writer","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/scary-movie-v","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/t8k74p7g0ok0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/t8k74p7g0ok0.jpg"},"released":1}
2013
{"id":2002,"title":"High School High","year":"1996","job":"Screenplay","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/high-school-high","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/7ubp4c5mvpr0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/7ubp4c5mvpr0.jpg"},"released":1}
1996
High School High
High School High as Screenplay
{"id":2053,"title":"Naked Gun 33 1\/3: The Final Insult","year":"1994","job":"Writer","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/naked-gun-33-13-the-final-insult","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/5o7u1hjt0rt0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/5o7u1hjt0rt0.jpg"},"released":1}
1994
{"id":17554,"title":"The Kentucky Fried Movie","year":"1977","job":"Writer","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-kentucky-fried-movie","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/16e5guolnhq8.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/16e5guolnhq8.jpg"},"released":1}
1977
{"id":7402,"title":"An American Carol","year":"2008","job":"Director, Writer","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/an-american-carol","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_7402.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_7402.jpg"},"released":1}
2008
An American Carol
An American Carol as Director, Writer
{"id":2577,"title":"Scary Movie 4","year":"2006","job":"Director","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/scary-movie-4","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/3frjlloh3fe0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/3frjlloh3fe0.jpg"},"released":1}
2006
Scary Movie 4
Scary Movie 4 as Director
{"id":5307,"title":"My Boss's Daughter","year":"2003","job":"Director","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/my-bosss-daughter","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/3q3e0006eak0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/3q3e0006eak0.jpg"},"released":1}
2003
{"id":2802,"title":"Scary Movie 3","year":"2003","job":"Director","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/scary-movie-3","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/1r88on03fmbg.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/1r88on03fmbg.jpg"},"released":1}
Scary Movie 3
Scary Movie 3 as Director
{"id":2767,"title":"BASEketball","year":"1998","job":"Director, Screenplay","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/baseketball","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/5706j44urkr0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/5706j44urkr0.jpg"},"released":1}
1998
BASEketball
BASEketball as Director, Screenplay
{"id":2054,"title":"The Naked Gun 2\u00bd: The Smell of Fear","year":"1991","job":"Director, Writer","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-naked-gun-2-the-smell-of-fear","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/41nf0ko8ut60.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/41nf0ko8ut60.jpg"},"released":1}
1991
{"id":2055,"title":"The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!","year":"1988","job":"Director, Writer","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-naked-gun-from-the-files-of-police-squad","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/6ojtm2bacst0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/6ojtm2bacst0.jpg"},"released":1}
1988
{"id":5116,"title":"Ruthless People","year":"1986","job":"Director","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/ruthless-people","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_5116.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_5116.jpg"},"released":1}
1986
{"id":5732,"title":"Top Secret!","year":"1984","job":"Director, Screenplay","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/top-secret","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/5dvjcgqsvru0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/5dvjcgqsvru0.jpg"},"released":1}
1984
Top Secret!
Top Secret! as Director, Screenplay
{"id":1249,"title":"Airplane!","year":"1980","job":"Director, Writer","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/airplane","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/1klgvdl3trv0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/1klgvdl3trv0.jpg"},"released":1}
1980
Airplane!
Airplane! as Director, Writer
{"id":1244,"title":"Police Squad!","year":"1982","job":"Creator","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/show\/police-squad","type":"show","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/shows\/poster\/4vdqmaaghs30.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/shows\/poster\/4vdqmaaghs30.jpg"},"released":1}
1982
Police Squad!
Police Squad! as Creator