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.

Photos

Filmography

View Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty
Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty

Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty

2022Series
7.6
View Airplane!
Airplane!

Airplane!

1980Film
7.3
View The History of Comedy
The History of Comedy

The History of Comedy

2017Series
6.6
View Top Secret!
Top Secret!

Top Secret!

1984Film
7.1
View Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man!
Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man!

Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man!

2026Series
7.5
View The Kentucky Fried Movie
The Kentucky Fried Movie

The Kentucky Fried Movie

1977Film
6.2
View Making Rat Race
Making Rat Race

Making Rat Race

2002Film0
View Your Studio and You
Your Studio and You

Your Studio and You

1995Film
6.8
View Ghost Stories: The Making of a Classic
Ghost Stories: The Making of a Classic

Ghost Stories: The Making of a Classic

2007Film0
View Asthma
Asthma

Asthma

2015Film
5.9
View Ghost: Remembering the Magic
Ghost: Remembering the Magic

Ghost: Remembering the Magic

2001Film
6.0