Jerry Zucker

Jerry Zucker

Born 1950-03-11 (age 76) Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
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Biography

Jerry Zucker (born March 11, 1950) is an American director, known for comedy spoof films, and the hit film Ghost.

Zucker was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the son of Charlotte (d. 2007) and Burton Zucker, who was a real estate developer. He graduated from Shorewood High School.

Zucker's early career work started with Jim Abrahams and brother David Zucker at the Kentucky Fried Theatre on Pico Blvd in West Los Angeles where they honed their comedic skills doing skits in front of a live audience. From there the three went on and together co-directed Airplane! in 1980 and then went on to do Top Secret! in 1984, and Ruthless People in 1986. In 1990, he lent his directorial skills to the dramatic genre with Ghost, which was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture. Recent directorial efforts of Zucker's include the 2001 film Rat Race (which re-teamed him with Ghost star Whoopi Goldberg).

Like his brother David Zucker, Jerry often cast his mother, Charlotte (who died in 2007), and his sister, Susan Breslau, in small roles in his films. Along with Jim Abrahams, the Zuckers constitute the "ZAZ" team of directors.

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Known For

Airplane!
Airplane!

1980

as Ground Crewman #1

Top Secret!
Top Secret!

1984

as German Soldier in Prop Room (uncredited)

The Kentucky Fried Movie
Asthma
Asthma

2015

as Gus' Father

Your Studio and You
Your Studio and You

1995

as Jerry Zucker

Making Rat Race
Making Rat Race

2002

as Himself

Ghost: Remembering the Magic