Writer-director Jim Abrahams, who co-created Airplane! and The Naked Gun films, died of natural causes on Tuesday, November 26, 2024. He was 80 years old.

Abrahams and brothers Jerry and David Zucker (who were nicknamed ZAZ) collaborated on comedies with satire, slapstick gags, parody, silly jokes, and physical comedy. They also made the genius move of hiring dramatic actors like Leslie Nielsen and Peter Graves instead of comedic actors who added a new layer of humor by delivering their dialogue in serious, deadpan style.

ZAZ co-wrote and co-directed Airplane!, featuring a cast of oddballs led by a stressed out ex-fighter pilot who must land a commercial plane when the crew gets food poisoning. The trio were also behind the Police Squad! TV series and Naked Gun! movies, featuring inept cops trying to solve and prevent crimes.

Abrahams was born on May 10, 1944, in Shorewood, Wisconsin. He became friends with the Zucker brothers when they were kids, they attended the same high school, and all went to the University of Wisconsin at Madison. In 1971, they founded the Kentucky Fried Theater in Madison where improv comedy was performed live and they showed pre-recorded spoofs of TV shows and commercials.

ZAZ got their start on film by writing the sketch comedy style Kentucky Fried Movie, which was directed by John Landis. They also co-wrote and directed Top Secret! and directed Ruthless People.

On his own, Abrahams directed Big Business, he directed Welcome Home, Roxy Carmichael, he co-wrote and directed Hot Shots! and its sequel, he co-wrote and directed Mafia!, and he co-wrote Scary Movie 4.