Jim Abrahams

James Steven Abrahams was an American film director and writer. With David and Jerry Zucker, he was best known as a member of Zucker, Abrahams and Zucker.

Early life

James Steven Abrahams was born on May 10, 1944, to a Jewish family in Shorewood, Wisconsin, the son of Louise M., an educational researcher, and Norman S. Abrahams, a lawyer. He attended Shorewood High School. He had a home in Eagle River, Wisconsin, where he spent summers from the time he was a child.

Career

He is best known for the spoof movies that he co-wrote and produced with brothers Jerry Zucker and David Zucker, such as Airplane! and The Naked Gun series. The team of Zucker, Abrahams and Zucker really began when the three men grew up together in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He directed 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.

Personal life

Abrahams and his wife, Nancy co-founded The Charlie Foundation To Help Cure Pediatric Epilepsy. He was an advocate of the ketogenic diet as a treatment for epilepsy.
Abrahams had three children. His daughter, Jamie Abrahams, is also a comedy writer.

Death

He died from leukemia at his home in Santa Monica, California, on November 26, 2024, at the age of 80. He had the disease for twenty years before his death and at one point was in remission until it returned.

Filmography

Film

Executive producer only

Acting roles

Year	Title	Role
1977	The Kentucky Fried Movie	Technician #1 / Announcer
1980	Airplane!	Religious Zealot #6
1984	Top Secret!	German Soldier in Prop Room
1988	Coming to America	Face on Cutting Room Floor
1991	Oscar	Postman
2019	Fat: A Documentary	Self − Filmmaker & Founder, Charlie Foundation

Television

Other credits

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1972	The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson	Performer	Part as Kentucky Fried Theatre in one episode
1974	The Midnight Special	Performer	Part as Kentucky Fried Theatre in one episode
2019	Late Night Berlin	Creative producer	Episode "Folge 42"