Jim Abrahams
Jim Abrahams is a movie producer, writer, and director who knows how to make people laugh. Born in 1944 in Wisconsin, Abrahams teamed up with the brothers Jerry and David Zucker - their fathers worked together in the real-estate business. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin, Abrahams and the Zuckers created the Kentucky Fried Theater, featuring performances which included live improvisation with short films. When the three moved to Los Angeles, their script of Kentucky Fried Movie was made by the then-reigning comedy director, John Landis. After watching Landis work, they decided they could do it all themselves. With an incredible sense of silliness, quick references, and serious actors having as much fun making the jokes as they do making fun of themselves, the team has created Airplane!, Top Secret, Ruthless People, Naked Gun, The Naked Gun 2 1/2: The Smell of Fear, Hot Shots, the Scary Movie series, and Mafia. Abrahams also created the movies Big Business and Welcome Home Roxy Carmichael.
