Jim Abrahams, spoof-comedy great behind ‘Airplane!’ and ‘Naked Gun’ films, dies at 80

November 28, 2024

Jim Abrahams, spoof-comedy great behind 'Airplane!' and 'Naked Gun' films, dies at 80

As I reflect upon the life of Jim Abrahams, a man whose work brought joy, laughter, and a touch of absurdity into countless lives, I cannot help but feel a deep sense of admiration for his contributions to the world of comedy. Born and bred in Shorewood, Wisconsin, he navigated the complexities of life with an unwavering spirit and a knack for turning the mundane into the extraordinary.

80-year-old filmmaker Jim Abrahams, famous for co-creating the 1980s satire genre along with his brothers Jerry and David Zucker, passed away. His notable works include “Airplane!” and “The Naked Gun” series.

On Tuesday, Abraham passed away peacefully at his residence in Santa Monica, as confirmed by his son Joseph to The Hollywood Reporter, due to natural causes.

Reflecting on our lifelong bond forged since childhood and our collaborative journey that commenced during college, my partner Abrahams and I produced some of the most memorable comedies from that time. As Jerry Zucker put it to Rolling Stone, Abrahams was “our third brother.

Jim enriched countless lives with his health, jokes, and affection,” Zucker shared with the media outlet. “He was more than just a colleague; he was our companion, confidant, and inspiration.

When I inquired about his thoughts on an afterlife, he nonchalantly replied, “I’ve lived a fulfilling life. I have no remorse.

James Steven Abrahams hails from Shorewood, Wisconsin, which is a suburb of Milwaukee, and he was born on the 10th of May, 1944. His dad, Norman, was a legal professional, while his mom, Louise, was engaged in educational research.

As a child, I shared the same spiritual sanctuary with the Zuckers, and our families frequently gathered for delightful dining experiences.

Later on, the three of them would wind up in the game room, where they played ping pong and shared laughter, as Jerry Zucker described in their 2023 memoir titled “Surely You Can’t Be Serious: The Real Story of Airplane!”. They connected through their mutual sense of humor. (The book’s title is a playful reference to the iconic line from the movie “Airplane!” which goes, “I am serious, and don’t call me Shirley.”)

In 1971, during their time at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, they established the Kentucky Fried Theater in Madison. This theater was born from their creation of a multi-media performance featuring improvised skits and parodies of advertisements and television programs.

3 days prior to their first performance, an inspector halted their plans for the venue, yet they swiftly secured a new location within the Old Union South of the university. The humor group performed packed shows there for a year before making their film debut with the independent sketch comedy “The Kentucky Fried Movie” in 1977.

Abraham authored the screenplay, while John Landis took up the director’s role. Following the triumph of “The Kentucky Fried Movie,” Landis was commissioned to create “Animal House” the following year in 1978.

In 1980, the group who were then called ZAZ produced the movie “Airplane!”. This film, with a production budget of just $3.5 million, earned an impressive $83.5 million at the box office, making it the third highest-grossing comedy of all time in cinemas back then. It was only outperformed by “Animal House” and “Smokey and the Bandit”.

The film “Airplane!” received recognition in several prestigious award ceremonies: It was nominated for the BAFTA Award for Best Screenplay, earned a nomination at the Golden Globes, and was honored with a Writers Guild Award. Additionally, it was chosen to be preserved in the National Film Registry in 2010.

In my own words as a film critic, I’d say: “When ‘Airplane!’ is at its best, it transforms silliness into a refined art form – a claim I made in the trio’s 2023 memoir. You could even say we were penning dad jokes long before they were officially recognized as such.

Over the subsequent years, ZAZ produced the films “Top Secret!” (1984) and “Ruthless People” (1986), as well as the ABC series “Police Squad!”. These productions led to the creation of the “The Naked Gun” film franchise. In 2025, Paramount plans to release a fourth installment in this series, featuring Liam Neeson and a story by Seth MacFarlane.

Individually, Abraham took charge of the films “Big Business” (1988) starring Bette Midler and Lily Tomlin, “Welcome Home, Roxy Carmichael” (1990) featuring Winona Ryder and Jeff Daniels, the comedy “Hot Shots!” (1991) with Charlie Sheen, as well as its 1993 sequel that poked fun at “Rambo.” He also helmed the parody of “The Godfather” titled “Mafia!” in 1998.

In regard to all his work, Abraham shared with NPR last year that their goal is never more than: “it’s not necessary for you to view this as significant or serious.

He stated that the situation doesn’t carry any political significance and it’s not like “Dr. Strangelove.” Instead, he believes it’s important for everyone to remember that there are instances where we can choose not to be overly serious about certain things.

1994 saw the establishment of the Charlie Foundation for Ketogenic Therapies by Abrahams and his wife Nancy Cocuzzo. This organization aims to promote understanding of a diet used to manage epileptic seizures, in memory of their son Charlie, who was diagnosed with severe epilepsy as an infant.

Beyond my beloved wife who I wedded in 1976, my sons Joseph and Charlie, and my dear daughter Jamie, I also leave behind my cherished grandchildren Caleb, James, and Isaac. They all remain a significant part of my legacy.

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2024-11-28 02:02