Kersh’s Memorial Blog is up & running
We invite people to share their memories of Kersh. Please do so by leaving a comment on this post.
Thank you,
Julie Klima
Studio Manager for Irvin Kershner
Tags: irvin kershner, memorial, official website
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irvinkershnermemorialblog.wordpress.com 
February 21, 2011 at 5:42 pm
I have met Mr Kershner at a Film Festival in 2008,ı was a young Turkish actress by then,willing to learn much about the world,Mr Kirshner gave me courage,listened to me.I was so lucky to meet with a True artist ,He is a star above my head now,whenever ı find my self in darkness,ı can hold on to his light and find my way.I am so thankfull for him.
February 3, 2011 at 8:13 pm
Kersh was a dear man to me my father was a alumni of Usc and I was a big big fan
your friend.
Chris
December 30, 2010 at 9:03 am
MEMORIES OF KERSH
When I think of Kersh, the first description that comes to mind is “Renaissance Man.” Although it may be a well-known expression, its use becomes elevated when speaking of this uncommon man, whose works of art and in art includes superbly crafted motion pictures, masterly photography, a sensitive ear for music (he was at one time a violinist), and painterly creations. But this list omits Kersh’s greatest creation: His life, in and of itself, is a work of art.
These observations are not made in light of our loss of Kersh, but were assembled both consciously and subconsciously in my mind over the 30 or more years that Kersh and I knew one another. Nor could the appellation “Renaissance Man” be used without recalling the many conversations and other contacts we had over those years. We spent hours talking about music and listening to recordings at our home. I remember one evening when I took Kersh upstairs to my study at about 10:00 at night to compare recordings of various violinists, pianists, cellists, orchestras, playing the same pieces. Was Furtwängler better than Toscanini? How about Szigeti versus Heifetz? Was Mengelberg idiosyncratic or was his the right way to play the Brahm’s third symphony? We finished our listening session at 1:00 in the morning. There was a time when Judith was in New York that Kersh and I went to the Philharmonic to hear Martha Argerich play the Chopin Second Piano Concerto. We shared thoughts on that one, too, reaching a “unanimous” opinion that she was great.
Judith, our son, Matt, and I visited Kersh in London when he was directing Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. Judith and I have a clear recollection of Kersh in hip boots wading in water while directing Mark Hamill through just a few takes to get what he wanted. Our recollection of Kersh in hip boots is equally, if not more, memorable than the scene he was directing.
Loyalty to his friends was not just a virtue to Kersh but, rather, an act of faith and respect. At one lunch with him, I was very much comforted by his observations regarding my conflict with a judge before whom I was trying a case. Once my assistant overheard a conversation I was having with Kersh. She came into my office and asked “was that Irvin Kershner you were talking to?” When I answered in the affirmative, she said that she was her favorite director. She had seen Empire Strikes Back I don’t know how many times, and even knew of some of his lesser known pictures: “Flim-Flam Man,” “The Eyes of Laura Mars”,“The Luck of Ginger Coffee,” “Loving,” et al. I called Kersh and related my conversation with her and asked if he would mind speaking with her over the phone. He said, “Of course,” and they spent about 10-15 minutes in conversation. To understate, she was thrilled. He also signed a program for her issued in connection with his gift to the County Hospital of photographs from his “Plate Series”. It is well worth the time to view these highly unusual art works at the Hospital’s new facilities.
It is a small step from a discussion of loyalty to one of its components in the best of us: Kindness. Kersh possessed that quality in abundance.
These reminiscences are only the tip of a very large iceberg, but I hope they leave us with this conclusion. Kersh’s legacy is not confined to his works of art. Its greatest ingredient is the life he lived. We will all miss him.
Ron Rosen
December 28, 2010 at 10:56 am
Kersh was a part of our family. There’s no other way to say it. Our children, Tera, Mara, and Jameson, always looked forward to seeing him, to share in his stories, photographs, travels, humor, his passion for great food, teaching, and, of course, films. The personal photographs he took and gave to them as gifts will always remain as their favorites and as true testaments to the affection he had for our family. This affection and caring is deeply seeded in Dana and David, and we celebrate with them, a life of a truly gifted, compassionate, and loving soul. We will miss him deeply.
December 23, 2010 at 8:50 am
When I was eleven years old I had a Starlog Magazine photo of Kersh taped to the wall above my Super 8 editor. He was on the set of Empire, wearing his jaunty cap, making an expressive gesture with those long graceful fingers. I thought to myself “This is what a movie director looks like!” Almost thirty years later I finally got to meet Kersh in person and shoot video interviews with him about his life and career and photographic work. He was witty, fiery, and insightful. I realized, with sadness, that Kersh was the creative mentor I’d always wanted but had never found. He was exceedingly kind to those who admired him. He was one of the coolest men I’ve ever met. He will be missed.
December 21, 2010 at 3:54 pm
We are devastated by the death of a true friend and mentor. He read my stories, saw me through my 30’s, put up with morning sickness and shouted at me for smoking. He was strong and wise and a mountain of a man. He has impacted our lives forever. I miss him terribly. Thank you all for your well wishes. Goodnight sweet Prince. We love you.
December 21, 2010 at 11:23 am
The first time I met Kersh he was directing my pilot Cain’s Hundred for NBC at MGM, for which he did a fabulous job and it went on the air as a series. We had been friends ever since. A tremendous director with innovative impulses and savvy know-how — and a hell of a warm,lovely man besides. I will miss his ready smile and bubbling laughter and eagerness to listen to whatever you wanted to talk about. He was a man who stood tall among men and as a creative artist.
December 24, 2010 at 2:44 pm
I am so saddened by my dear uncle’s passing. His kindness and words of wisdom will forever be apart of of my life. I have fond memories that I will forever cherish, from family Sunday and holiday dinners, to his life stories, to his regular phone calls and letters. I will miss my Uncle Kersh, not just as the fine artist and talent he was, but for his teachings as an important part of our family.