Born on October 16, 1947, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, he is an American film director, producer, and screenwriter renowned for his work in comedy. He co-founded the production company ZAZ with his brother Jerry and Jim Abrahams. The trio is celebrated for creating the comedy classic "Airplane!" in 1980, which set a new standard for parody films. His other notable works include the "Naked Gun" series and "Scary Movie 3" and "4," showcasing his knack for slapstick and satire in cinema.