Jim Abrahams

Photo of Jim Abrahams

Biography

With college friends Jerry and David Zucker, Jim Abrahams is co-founder of the Kentucky Fried Theater in Madison, Wisconsin, in 1969. ZAZ (as they came to be known) subsequently moved their satirical group to Los Angeles and set up a theater there. They made their first venture into feature filmmaking with "The Kentucky Fried Movie" (1977). Directed by John Landis, the film was a memorable series of absurd, vulgar and (mostly) wildly funny …
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Job Title

Actor, Director, Producer, Writer, Music

Born

May 10, 1944

Career Milestones

1969

With David and Jerry Zucker, formed the Kentucky Fried Theater in Madison, Wisconsin

1972

Moved Kentucky Fried Theater to Los Angeles

1977

First film as co-writer and actor, "Kentucky Fried Movie"

1980

First film as co-director and co-executive producer, "Airplane!" (also co-writer)

1982

TV directing, producing, and writing debut, "Police Squad!"

1988

Solo directing debut, "Big Business"

1997

Returned to TV to direct and co-executive produce ". . . first do no harm" (ABC); the telefilm's subject had personal resonance as Abrahams' son Charlie was treated with the controversial diet depicted in the film

1998

Helmed the spoof "Mafia!"

Awards

1980

BAFTA Award for Screenplay in Airplane!

1982

Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing In a Comedy Series in Police Squad!