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…
