Jim Abrahams

Jim Abrahams

81 · Born: May 10, 1944

Personal Details

BornMay 10, 1944 Shorewood, Wisconsin, USA

Biography

Jim Abrahams, a highly acclaimed American film director and writer, came into the world on May 10, 1944, in the charming town of Shorewood, Wisconsin, to a family of Jewish heritage. The formative years of his life were significantly influenced by his time spent at Shorewood High School, a institution that likely played a pivotal role in fostering his creative inclinations, laying the groundwork for a future marked by innovation and artistic expression.

Abrahams is widely recognized for his remarkable contributions to a series of comedic spoof movies, which he co-wrote and produced in collaboration with his brothers Jerry Zucker and David Zucker. This trio, affectionately referred to as "ZAZ," embarked on their creative journey together during their childhood years in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

The team's groundbreaking cinematic masterpiece, Airplane!, marked a significant milestone in Abrahams' illustrious career, garnering a prestigious BAFTA Award nomination for Best Screenplay, thereby solidifying his reputation as a maestro of comedic storytelling. This remarkable achievement served as a testament to his exceptional talent and mastery of the craft, earning him widespread recognition and acclaim within the entertainment industry.

As a pioneering force in the world of parody, Abrahams' collaboration with his brothers on the Naked Gun series was a major highlight of his career, further cementing his status as a trailblazer in the genre. The Naked Gun series, a series of hilarious and irreverent films, showcased Abrahams' unparalleled ability to craft clever, witty, and sidesplitting comedy, while also demonstrating his impressive range as a writer, director, and actor.

Notably, in tandem with his collaborations with ZAZ, Abrahams has also ventured into independent film production, with notable examples including the captivating narrative-driven film, Big Business, which effectively demonstrated his proficiency in crafting compelling storylines. Furthermore, his mastery of parody was strikingly evident in the 1991 comedy film, Hot Shots!, and its 1993 sequel, Hot Shots! Part Deux, which showcased his impressive ability to cleverly poke fun at various genres and conventions.

As the years have passed, Abraham's illustrious career has only continued to flourish, with his current residence situated in the picturesque town of Eagle River, Wisconsin, where he remains an integral and highly respected figure within the realm of comedy, leaving an indelible mark on the industry with his innovative brand of humor and wit.

Career

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1993
{"id":5000,"title":"Oscar","year":"1991","character":"Postman (uncredited)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/oscar","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/79f15o8iguk0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/79f15o8iguk0.jpg"},"released":1}
1991
Oscar
Oscar as Postman (uncredited)
{"id":976,"title":"Coming to America","year":"1988","character":"Face on Cutting Room Floor","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/coming-to-america","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/72735s6v1cs0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/72735s6v1cs0.jpg"},"released":1}
1988
Coming to America
Coming to America as Face on Cutting Room Floor
{"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":"Religious Zealot #6","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 Religious Zealot #6
{"id":17554,"title":"The Kentucky Fried Movie","year":"1977","character":"Various","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":140309,"title":"Fat: A Documentary","year":"2019","character":null,"permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/fat-a-documentary","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/1loru3ien7ug.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/1loru3ien7ug.jpg"},"released":1}
2019
{"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":2577,"title":"Scary Movie 4","year":"2006","job":"Screenplay","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 Screenplay
{"id":2055,"title":"The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!","year":"1988","job":"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":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":32579,"title":"Jane Austen's Mafia!","year":"1998","job":"Director, Screenplay","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/jane-austens-mafia","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/6mb3mf7tt070.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/6mb3mf7tt070.jpg"},"released":1}
1998
Jane Austen's Mafia!
Jane Austen's Mafia! as Director, Screenplay
{"id":14095,"title":"...First Do No Harm","year":"1997","job":"Director","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/first-do-no-harm","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_14095.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_14095.jpg"},"released":1}
1997
{"id":4790,"title":"Hot Shots! Part Deux","year":"1993","job":"Director, Screenplay","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/hot-shots-part-deux","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/5h3eals2g0r0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/5h3eals2g0r0.jpg"},"released":1}
1993
Hot Shots! Part Deux
Hot Shots! Part Deux as Director, Screenplay
{"id":4741,"title":"Hot Shots!","year":"1991","job":"Director, Writer","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/hot-shots","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/66r1m3ose570.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/66r1m3ose570.jpg"},"released":1}
1991
Hot Shots!
Hot Shots! as Director, Writer
{"id":7818,"title":"Welcome Home, Roxy Carmichael","year":"1990","job":"Director","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/welcome-home-roxy-carmichael","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_7818.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_7818.jpg"},"released":1}
1990
{"id":6114,"title":"Big Business","year":"1988","job":"Director","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/big-business","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_6114.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_6114.jpg"},"released":1}
1988
Big Business
Big Business as Director
{"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