Zucker, Abrahams and Zucker


Zucker, Abrahams and Zucker were an American comedy filmmaking trio consisting of Jim Abrahams and brothers David Zucker and Jerry Zucker who specialized in writing slapstick comedy films during the 1970s, '80s, '90s and '00s. The trio knew each other during their childhood years, growing up in Shorewood, Wisconsin and attending Shorewood High School which is sometimes referenced in their work. While attending the University of Wisconsin–Madison, the trio founded a small theater known as The Kentucky Fried Theater in 1971 which led to their sketch comedy film The Kentucky Fried Movie.
This was followed in 1980 by the trio's breakout hit Airplane!, which remains a revered comedic milestone. Subsequent collaborations include Top Secret!, Ruthless People, and The Naked Gun. All of their projects relied heavily on parodies, visual gags and breaking of the fourth wall, and established a strong cult following. The notable stylistic exception is Ruthless People, a more traditional farce that was directed by the trio but unlike their other productions, not written by them.
Prominent ZAZ actors and actresses include Leslie Nielsen, Lloyd Bridges, Robert Stack, Rowan Atkinson, Whoopi Goldberg, and Charlie Sheen. The trio's status as a three-person team of co-directors is highly unusual, although some of their later projects were directed by David Zucker working solo and with Jerry Zucker and Abrahams credited only as producers and/or writers. Each member of the group also had individual solo careers:
Below is a filmography chart on which films the trio have directed together and solo:
David
Zucker		Jim
Abrahams		Jerry
Zucker
The Kentucky Fried Movie
Airplane!
Police Squad!
Top Secret!
Ruthless People
Big Business
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Ghost
Welcome Home, Roxy Carmichael
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Hot Shots!
Hot Shots! Part Deux
For Goodness Sake
First Knight
...First Do No Harm
Mafia!
BASEketball
Rat Race
My Boss's Daughter
Scary Movie 3
Scary Movie 4
An American Carol