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Jerry Zucker

Along with his directing partners Jim Abraham and brother David Zucker, Jerry Zucker all but revolutionized comedy in the 1980s, starting with arguably the most famous cinematic parody, "Airplane!" (1980). Prior to that surprising commercial success, Zuckers and Abraham wrote the cult classic, "Kentucky Fried Move" (1977), an uproarious comedy of unconnected sketches that skewered kung-fu movies, exploitation films and public service announcements. After "Airplane," Zuckers and Abraham made a failed attempt at television with "Police Squad!" (ABC, 1982), before bouncing back on the big screen with "Top Secret!" (1984). With the trio going their separate ways, Zucker began making more mainstream movies, directing "Ruthless People" (1986) and the surprisingly romantic drama, "Ghost" (1990), starring Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore. He also turned "Police Squad!" into the successful film franchise, "The Naked Gun - From the Files of Police Squad!" (1988) before helming "First Knight" (1995) and "Rat Race" (2001). In between, Zucker produced "A Walk in the Clouds" (1995) and "My Best Friend's Wedding" (1997). Though he shied away from directing later in his career, and in fact took a large step back in general, Zucker remained an instantly recognizable name as one of the most influential figures in the history of comedy.