Irving Lerner, a pioneering editor and director, embarked on his illustrious career in the film industry during his tenure at Columbia University. As a research editor for the university's Encyclopedia of Social Sciences, he began crafting documentaries for the school's anthropology department in the early 1930s. This early exposure to documentary filmmaking laid the foundation for his future endeavors.
Throughout World War II, Lerner produced documentaries for the Office of War Information, honing his skills and further solidifying his position in the industry. Following the war, he took on the role of head of New York University's Educational Film Institute, where he continued to make significant contributions to the world of documentary filmmaking.
In 1948, Lerner co-directed the short documentary Muscle Beach alongside Joseph Strick, marking the beginning of his foray into low-budget feature films. He went on to direct the gritty crime drama 'C'-Man in 1949 and the eccentric Mister Universe in 1951, a film that revolves around a bodybuilder's involvement with con artists and professional wrestling.
Throughout his career, Lerner worked as a cinematographer, editor, and assistant director on various projects, including several documentaries. He also had the distinction of serving as director and cinematographer on several documentaries.
In 1977, Lerner had the opportunity to work with the renowned director Martin Scorsese on the film New York, New York. Although he sadly passed away before completing the editing process, Scorsese dedicated the film to his memory.
