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Jim Abrahams, Slapstick Icon Behind ‘Airplane!,’ ‘Naked Gun’ and More, Dies at 80


Jim Abrahams, who created comedies like "Airplane!," "Hot Shots!," the "Naked Gun" series and more, died Tuesday. He was 80.

Jim Abrahams, a film director and writer behind hit slapstick comedies like “ Airplane!,” “Hot Shots!,” the “ Naked Gun ” series and more, died Tuesday, his son Joseph confirmed to Variety. Paramount is releasing a sequel in 2025, starring Liam Neeson as Frank Drebin Jr., directed by Akiva Schaffer and with a story by Seth Macfarlane. He is survived by his wife, Nancy Cocuzzo; daughter, Jamie; sons, Joseph and Charlie; and grandchildren, Caleb, James and Isaac.

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