“Top” Ten Losses of 2024: Jim Abrahams (#8)
By Four Walls
@FourWalls (72613)
United States
January 24, 2025 6:00pm CST
Along with music, which is my primary passion, this year I’m looking at other performers in other realms who passed away in 2024. We’re in the “top” ten, a misnomer because nobody wants these people on an obit list! Today’s entry is a man who made us laugh and laugh and laugh…and gave us a pop culture phrase for the ages.
#8: Jim Abrahams
Surely you can’t be serious!
I am serious. And don’t call me Shirley.
It’s one of the greatest spoofs in history that Mel Brooks had nothing to do with. Airplane!, the joke-after-joke assault on your funny bone, was the brainchild of a production company known as ZAZ: Zucker, Abrahams, and Zucker. Jim Abrahams was the one not named Zucker.
They grew up together in Wisconsin (must have been the cold weather that caused their hilarity 
) and formed the Kentucky Fried Theater. Their film, Kentucky Fried Movie, shows the genesis of the brilliant spoofing that would become the legendary Airplane! movie in 1980.
In addition to that gem, they also gave us Top Secret! and one of my favorite movies of the 80s, Ruthless People.
Abrahams had been dealing with leukemia for over 20 years, but it had been in remission. It came back and took his life in November.
Jim Abrahams
Born James Steven Abrahams, May 10, 1944, Shorewood, Wisconsin
Died November 26, 2024, Santa Monica, California (leukemia) (age 84)
A CBS news interview with the ZAZ trio, discussing their book about the making of Airplane!:
) and formed the Kentucky Fried Theater. Their film, Kentucky Fried Movie, shows the genesis of the brilliant spoofing that would become the legendary Airplane! movie in 1980.
In addition to that gem, they also gave us Top Secret! and one of my favorite movies of the 80s, Ruthless People.
Abrahams had been dealing with leukemia for over 20 years, but it had been in remission. It came back and took his life in November.
Jim Abrahams
Born James Steven Abrahams, May 10, 1944, Shorewood, Wisconsin
Died November 26, 2024, Santa Monica, California (leukemia) (age 84)
A CBS news interview with the ZAZ trio, discussing their book about the making of Airplane!:Your browser isn’t supported anymore. Update it to get the best YouTube experience and our latest features. Learn moreRemind me later
7 people like this
5 responses
@AliCanary (3282)
•
25 Jan
Gosh, I have such fond memories of Airplane! I've seen it many times. Leslie Nielsen was a scream!
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (72613)
• United States
25 Jan
And SO deadpan! That was the best part of it all, he was like a rock.
1 person likes this
@AliCanary (3282)
•
25 Jan
@FourWalls he reminded me a lot of my dad. I miss them both!
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (107939)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
25 Jan
Jim made us laugh with his comic material in the entertainment industry.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (72613)
• United States
25 Jan
You bet. Kentucky Fried Movie, while not as classic as the later movies, shows the brilliance of their comedy. (Opening line in Kentucky Fried Movie: a news anchorman at the desk with the headline, “The popcorn you’re eating has been p*ssed in. Film at 11.” 
)
)1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (83300)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
25 Jan
I know the Airplane movies but never heard of this guy
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (72613)
• United States
25 Jan
The directors had cameos in the airport scenes, with Jim playing one of the religious people. The Zuckers were seen reading magazines in one of the stores.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (348884)
• Rockingham, Australia
25 Jan
We watched this for the first time two weeks ago at the clubhouse. Some American humour leaves me cold but this was so, so funny. We all laughed all the way through. That girl selling Tupperware to the indigenous women is one scene I remember.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (72613)
• United States
25 Jan
It’s so exaggerated and absurd. There are more “American” jokes in the casting, like “good guy” Peter Graves playing the sleazy pilot and JUNE CLEAVER (Barbara Billingsley), the epitome of “wholesome family motherhood,” speaking jive.
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