Name: Irvin Kershner
Date of Birth: 29 April 1923 While he was directing Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980) - the first Star Wars film to feature the character Yoda--he earned the nickname "Kersh". He was also filming "Empire" at the same studio Stanley Kubrick was using to film The Shining (1980). Stephen King was on the set and met Kershner. Years later, King wrote "It," which features a character named Mrs. Kersh, who sounds like Yoda. Biography in: John Wakeman, editor. "World Film Directors, Volume Two, 1945-1985". New York: The H.W. Wilson Company, 1988. ... Kerhsner had been one of George Lucas' instructors in college. At first he turned down the opportunity to direct Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980), but his agent convinced him to take the job. He directed two sequels to two different science fiction franchises: Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)--the second "Star Wars" film--and RoboCop 2 (1990). Directed the only Star Wars film to use someone other than Ian McDiarmid as Palpatine. The voice he used was Clive Revill, with whom Kershner had previously worked in A Fine Madness (1966) He is the only man to direct both a Star Wars and James Bond movie. Of the three directors to direct the Star Wars films made between 1977 and 1983, the cast and crew have stated that he was their favorite director to work with, describing him as very helpful and supportive. Read more Irvin Kershner movies (actor)Irvin Kershner movies (director)User Comments |
