Irvin Kershner
Director

Irvin Kershner Net Worth

Irvin Kershner was a director, cinematographer, and actor born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on April 29, 1923. He graduated from the University of Southern California film school and began his career in 1950 producing documentaries for the United States Information Service in the Middle East. He later moved to television, directing and photographing a series of documentaries called "Confidential File". He was given his first break by producer Roger Corman and his films often focused on social alienation and human weaknesses. His biggest commercial success was the science fiction blockbuster Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980). He passed away at age 87 of lung cancer in his home in Los Angeles, California on November 27, 2010.
Irvin Kershner is a member of Director

Age, Biography and Wiki

Who is it? Director, Cinematographer, Actor
Birth Day April 29, 1923
Birth Place  Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Age 97 YEARS OLD
Died On November 27, 2010(2010-11-27) (aged 87)\nLos Angeles, California, U.S.
Birth Sign Taurus
Alma mater University of Southern California
Occupation Film director
Years active 1952–2009

💰 Net worth: $1.6 Million (2024)

Irvin Kershner, a legendary figure in the world of film, is estimated to have a net worth of $1.6 million in 2024. With a remarkable career spanning several decades, Kershner is distinguished for his work as a director, cinematographer, and actor in the United States. He is widely recognized for his directorial contributions to the critically acclaimed Star Wars sequel "The Empire Strikes Back," which is considered one of the greatest movies of all time. Throughout his career, Kershner has demonstrated exceptional talent and expertise, leaving an indelible mark on the film industry and solidifying his place among the most revered names in Hollywood.

Biography/Timeline

1921

When he returned to the States, he and Paul Coates (1921–1968) developed Confidential File, a documentary television series. Kershner worked as Writer, Director, Cinematographer, and Editor. He later developed and directed the television series The Rebel (1959–61), as well as the pilots for Peyton Place, Cain's Hundred, Philip Marlowe, and others.

1923

Irvin Kershner was born in Philadelphia in 1923. His artistic and cultural background was a mixture of music and art. The study of music (violin, viola, and composition) was the most important activity of his early years. He attended Temple University's Tyler School of Fine Arts in Philadelphia. Later, he went to New York and Provincetown to study with the famous painting Teacher Hans Hofmann. He then moved to Los Angeles where he studied photography at the Art Center College of Design.

1980

Kershner is best known as the Director of The Empire Strikes Back (1980), the immediate sequel of the 1977 hit film Star Wars. Kershner was a surprising choice for such a movie. According to Kershner himself, he once asked Producer George Lucas, "Of all the younger guys around, all the hot-shots, why me?" Lucas replied, "Well, because you know everything a Hollywood Director is supposed to know, but you're not Hollywood."

1988

After Empire Strikes Back, Kershner directed Never Say Never Again (Sean Connery's return to the role of James Bond), the HBO film Traveling Man (starring John Lithgow and Jonathan Silverman, this film earned Kershner an ACE Award nomination), and RoboCop 2. He also directed the pilot of the television series seaQuest DSV, and he made his debut as an actor in the Martin Scorsese film The Last Temptation of Christ (1988), in which he played Zebedee, the father of the apostles James and John. He played a film Director in Steven Seagal's On Deadly Ground. He was a faculty member at the Master of Professional Writing Program at the University of Southern California. In 2000 he was a member of the jury at the 22nd Moscow International Film Festival.

2002

In fall 2002, spring 2003, fall 2004, and spring 2004, Kershner served as a Visiting Professor and Research Associate at the Maryland Institute for Technology in the Humanities (MITH) at the University of Maryland, College Park, where he also provided cinematography training. He and the Founding Director Martha Nell Smith remained close and he served as her advisor until the end of his life.

2010

Kershner, who had been a heavy smoker most of his adult life, died on November 27, 2010 at his home in Los Angeles after three and a half years with lung cancer. Kershner had been working on photography before his death. He is survived by two sons, David and Dana.

Some Irvin Kershner images

About the author

Lisa Scholfield

As a Senior Writer at Famous Net Worth, I spearhead an exceptional team dedicated to uncovering and sharing the stories of pioneering individuals. My passion for unearthing untold narratives drives me to delve deep into the essence of each subject, bringing forth a unique blend of factual accuracy and narrative allure. In orchestrating the editorial workflow, I am deeply involved in every step—from initial research to the final touches of publishing, ensuring each biography not only informs but also engages and inspires our readership.