Irvin Kershner, a renowned filmmaker, was born on April 29, 1923, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He graduated from the prestigious University of Southern California film school, setting the stage for a illustrious career in the film industry.
Kershner's professional journey began in 1950, when he started producing documentaries for the United States Information Service in the Middle East. This experience laid the foundation for his future endeavors, as he later transitioned to television, directing and photographing a series of documentaries called "Confidential File".
The producer Roger Corman, a mentor to many aspiring filmmakers, gave Kershner his first major break by hiring him to shoot the film Stakeout on Dope Street in 1958. This marked the beginning of a long and successful collaboration between the two.
Throughout his career, Kershner's films often explored themes of social alienation and human weakness, offering a nuanced portrayal of the complexities of human nature. However, his most commercially successful film was undoubtedly the science fiction blockbuster Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back, released in 1980.
Irvin Kershner passed away at the age of 87 on November 27, 2010, at his home in Los Angeles, California, due to complications from lung cancer. Despite his passing, his legacy continues to inspire and influence filmmakers to this day.
