Jerry Zucker, David Zucker and Jim Abrahams knew one another growing up in Shorewood, Wisconsin. While attending the University of Wisconsin–Madison, the trio founded a small theater known as The Kentucky Fried Theater in 1971. They moved to Los Angeles in 1972, which led to their first film The Kentucky Fried Movie in 1977. ZAZ’s next film was their breakout hit Airplane! in 1980, which remains a revered comedic milestone.