Albert “Bert” Kish, a renowned Hungarian-Canadian film director and editor, gained fame for his work on the American contemporary Western crime drama TV series called Longmire.
Born on May 14, 1937, he sadly passed away on October 23, 2015, at the age of 51, succumbing to cancer.
In the entertainment industry, a lasting legacy is built on talent, hard work, and creativity. Bert Kish, the acclaimed filmmaker, excelled in all these aspects throughout his career. In addition to his exceptional filmmaking, he also served as a producer, writer, and cinematographer.
Undoubtedly, he was a versatile individual who succeeded in various roles. Although primarily working behind the scenes with fewer publicized credits, his career exemplifies the notion that quality is paramount. Let’s delve into the life and seasons of this remarkable man.
The Life and Seasons of Bert Kish
Bert Kish was born on September 15, 1965, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. He is the son of Albert Kish, the Hungarian-Canadian film director, and editor, and his notable spouse whose name remains unknown. However, it is known that he had a stepmother named Katalin Futo and a brother named Colin.
Kish completed his education in Canada before relocating to the entertainment capital of the world – Los Angeles, California, presumably to advance his career.
He attended a reputable educational institution alongside other elite stars, graduating from Westmount Secondary School in Quebec before proceeding to the esteemed McGill College.
McGill is one of the most esteemed universities in Canada, and Bert joined a class of distinguished individuals, including Mackenzie Davis, William Shatner, and Samantha Bee, who attended the institution. Inspired by his father, Albert, who caught the entertainment bug in Vienna, Austria, Bert Kish ventured into the world of media. Albert, originally from Hungary, left Austria for Canada, where he worked as a still photographer, cameraman, editor, and independent filmmaker.
Bert learned the art of editing by observing his father and pursued a career as both a film and television editor, as well as a director. He was married to Vanessa Trachewsky, and they had a son named Aris (b. 2006). The exact date of their marriage is unknown, but public records confirm their union until his passing in May 2017.
Career Achievements: Awards and Recognitions
It is not surprising that Bert Kish became a accomplished filmmaker, considering he was the son of NFB filmmaker Albert Kish. Like his father, the renowned Hungarian-Canadian filmmaker worked on several notable films, including Louisbourg, Bighorn, Family House, and Summer of ’67. Albert was also a skilled photographer whose works appeared in various publications and exhibitions.
For his extensive and accomplished work in the entertainment industry, Albert received several awards and recognitions, including the Robert Flaherty Award, the Gold Apple Award, Blue Ribbon Award, and the Silver Hugo Award. Given Albert Kish’s prolific career, it’s no wonder that his son, Bert Kish, followed in his footsteps.
Bert moved to Toronto in the late ’80s, gradually climbing the ranks from working in ads at Partners Film Company to making a mark in the television series world in the early ’90s. His career breakthrough came in 1994 with the series Jake and the Kid, where he served as an editor.
Bert Kish went on to edit numerous other projects, notable among them are My Dog Vincent, Code, Head of the Hierarchy, Hemlock Grove, 12 Monkeys, Longmire, Death Valley, Jake and the Kid, Hemlock Forest, Legacy, Once a Thief, and The Bridge.
As a director, he is best known for Abandoned In Heaven and The Deadly Vow. Additionally, he served as a producer on Death Valley, Winter Song, and Shah Bob.
A distinguished member of the Canadian Film Editors (CCE), Bert was nominated for and won several awards during his career. Notably, he won the Gemini Award for Best Picture Editing in a Dramatic Program or Series for Once a Thief. This award not only highlighted his excellence as a film editor but also solidified his reputation as a highly respected professional. Bert Kish had an estimated net worth of $1.9 million at the time of his passing.
Summary of Bert Kish’s Notable Awards and Nominations:
- In 1998, he won the Gemini Award for Best Picture Editing in a Dramatic Program or Series for his contribution to the “Rave On” episode of Once a Thief.
- In 2000, he was nominated for the Gemini Award for Best Direction in a Dramatic Series for his work on Show of Force.
- In 2011, he was a nominee for the Directors Guild of Canada (DGC Group Award) Allan King Award for Excellence in Documentary for his work on Paul Quarrington: Life in Music.
What Led to Bert Kish’s Passing? Bert Kish sadly passed away on May 24th, 2017, at the age of 51. His loss was deeply felt by his family, fans, and friends alike.
His father had succumbed to cancer on October 23, 2015, at the Toronto General Hospital.
Considering that he passed away less than two years after his father, some fans had to double-check to ensure it wasn’t his father still being referred to.
The cause of his death was attributed to the complex adversary, cancer. However, there are no details about the specific type that claimed his life.
Given that he fell victim to the same disease that took his father, many speculate that he may have inherited a genetic mutation, putting him at a higher risk of cancer than he would have under normal circ*mstances. However, it cannot be determined whether it was a hereditary cancer or simply an abnormal cell division.
Just like the type of cancer that claimed him remains unknown, the location of his death or his final resting place is also undisclosed.
One thing is certain – both Albert and Bert Kish’s legacy will continue to thrive, thanks to their hard work, commitment to quality, perseverance, and passion.
