Irvin Kershner
Biography
Irvin Kershner was an American director who began in documentaries and television before moving to feature films. Born in Philadelphia in 1923, he taught photography at the University of Southern California and made documentaries in Iran, Greece and Turkey. Back home he helped develop the documentary series Confidential File and directed the television series The Rebel, along with pilots for Peyton Place and Cain's Hundred. His early features included The Hoodlum Priest, which won the OCIC Award at Cannes and was nominated for the Palme d'Or, and A Fine Madness and Loving. He directed the Emmy-nominated television drama Raid on Entebbe, then The Empire Strikes Back (1980), for which he won a Saturn Award for best director. Later work included Never Say Never Again and RoboCop 2. He also acted, playing Zebedee in The Last Temptation of Christ (1988) and appearing in On Deadly Ground (1994). He died in 2010.
87years old at death
- Born Philadelphia
- Died Los Angeles
- Star sign: TaurusThe sign runs April 20 to May 20
- Also credited as Isadore Kershner
Movie Career
- Films
- 5
- Career span
- 24 years1980 to 2004
Every film, newest first
- 2004Empire of Dreams: The Story of the Star Wars TrilogyIMDb rating 8.2
- 1995AngusIMDb rating 6.7
- 1994On Deadly GroundIMDb rating 4.6
- 1988The Last Temptation of ChristIMDb rating 7.5
- 1980The Making of The Empire Strikes BackIMDb rating 8.1
Genres
Share
Did you know?!
Big break
Kershner was a surprising choice to direct The Empire Strikes Back, and he asked George Lucas why he was picked over all the younger hot-shots. Lucas answered that Kershner knew everything a Hollywood director should know but was not Hollywood.
A role that slipped away
Kershner turned down the chance to direct Return of the Jedi after spending almost three years working on The Empire Strikes Back, and Richard Marquand was chosen for the third film instead.
A role that slipped away
Kershner agreed to direct a version of I, Robot based on a script by Harlan Ellison, but the project was never filmed.
A change of course
Kershner spent three years in the U.S. Eighth Air Force during World War II, where his role was flight engineer.
Early training
Kershner taught photography and studied cinema at the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts, where Slavko Vorkapic, a montage artist and the school's then-dean, was his teacher.
Irvin Kershner movies on Netflix
Most often with
Seven actors appear in two of them each. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.
Films together
Mark Hamill's page
Carrie Fisher's page
Anthony Daniels's page
George Lucas's page
Kenny Baker's page
Peter Mayhew's page
Also two films together1 more actor
- Ben BurttEmpire of Dreams: The Story of the Star Wars Trilogy (2004) and The Making of The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
When several people share the same number of films, the ones with the most films on Netflix are in the chart.
Awards
Two awards and honors.
| Year | Award | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other honors | |||
| 1981 | Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation | Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back | Won |
| 1981 | Saturn Award for Best Director | Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back | Won |
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.