Jim Abrahams, the writer and director best known for the “Naked Gun” series, died Tuesday at the age of 80.
Abrahams was a pioneer of comedy spoofs and helped popularize the genre in the 1980s alongside collaborators Jerry and David Zucker. He was known for his slapstick comedies such as “Airplane!” and “Hot Shots!” His son Joseph confirmed the death to Variety, though the circumstances surrounding his death have not been reported at this time.
LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 08: Director Jim Abrahams attends the screening of ‘The Kentucky Fried Movie’ during the 2017 TCM Classic Film Festival on April 8, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. 26657_005 (Photo by Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for TCM)
Abrahams and the Zucker brothers pooled their talents and founded The Kentucky Fried Theater in 1971 while attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
The trio made their film debut with the indie sketch comedy “Kentucky Fried Movie” in 1977, with Abrahams writing the script. They became known as “ZAZ” and went on to create “Airplane!” in 1980, “Top Secret!” in 1984 and “Ruthless People” in 1986.
They received a British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) best screenplay nomination for “Airplane!”
Abrahams developed a unique comedic style that led to the television series “Police Squad!” The show’s popularity spawned “The Naked Gun” film franchise, including “The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!” in 1988, “The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear” in 1991 and “Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult” in 1994.
Abrahams enjoyed independent success when directing “Big Business,” a 1988 comedy starring Bette Midler and Lily Tomlin.
LOS ANGELES – OCTOBER 30: The three directors of the movie Airplane! (L-R) Jerry Zucker, David Zucker, and Jim Abrahams pose for a portrait at The Industry Workshops at the Los Angeles Center Studios in Los Angeles, California on October 30, 2015. (Photo by Jim Steinfeldt/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
He directed “Welcome Home, Roxy Carmichael” in 1990, starring Winona Ryder and Jeff Daniels. He followed with the “Top Gun” parody “Hot Shots!” featuring Charlie Sheen in 1991.
Abrahams directed the “Godfather” parody “Mafia!” in 1998 and received a writing credit for “Scary Movie 4” in 2006, marking his last film project. (RELATED: Legendary Game Show Host Chuck Woolery Dead At 83)
Abrahams is survived by his daughter, Jamie; sons Joseph and Charlie; wife Nancy Cocuzzo; and three grandchildren, Caleb, James and Isaac.
This article was originally published at dailycaller.com
