Kris Kristofferson, the legendary country singer and actor, has passed away at the age of 88.
His family confirmed his peaceful passing at home on Saturday night. In a heartfelt statement signed by his wife Lisa, his eight children, and seven grandchildren, they shared: “We are incredibly blessed to have shared our lives with him. Thank you for loving him all these years, and when you see a rainbow, know he’s smiling down on us all.”
Kristofferson was revered for his raw, emotional songwriting and literary craftsmanship, which produced numerous country hits. His songs were covered by artists like Janis Joplin, Johnny Cash, and Gladys Knight, and he frequently topped the US country charts. Simultaneously, he built a successful acting career, working with notable directors like Martin Scorsese and Sam Peckinpah. His role opposite Barbra Streisand in the 1976 remake of A Star is Born earned him a Golden Globe.
Streisand paid tribute to him on Instagram, calling him “special” and “charming,” while Dolly Parton, who collaborated with Kristofferson on songs like From Here to the Moon and Back, shared: “What a great writer, actor, and friend. I will always love you, Dolly.” Fellow country star Reba McEntire also honored him, describing him as “a gentleman, kind soul, and lover of words.”
Born in Texas in 1936, Kristofferson’s early aspirations leaned towards becoming a novelist. He studied literature at Pomona College and the University of Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar. His love for music blossomed while in the UK, and though his early recordings weren’t released, his passion for songwriting endured.
After a stint in the US Army as a helicopter pilot, Kristofferson left the military in 1965, much to the dismay of his family, to pursue music in Nashville. He worked odd jobs, including bartending and janitorial work at Columbia Recording Studios. In the late 1960s, he wrote songs for notable artists like Jerry Lee Lewis, Ray Stevens, and Faron Young. His big break came when he famously landed a helicopter in Johnny Cash’s yard to deliver a demo tape. Cash loved his song Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down, which topped the country charts in 1970 and won Kristofferson the CMA Song of the Year award.
Kristofferson went on to record 18 studio albums, with hits like Me and Bobby McGee, which Janis Joplin made famous after her death, and Help Me Make It Through the Night, which was covered by Elvis Presley, Gladys Knight, and Mariah Carey.
His rugged good looks and on-screen charisma opened doors in Hollywood. Notable roles included playing Billy the Kid in Sam Peckinpah’s Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid (1973) and starring in Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore (1974). A Star is Born was a career highlight, though his Hollywood success waned after the flop Heaven’s Gate (1980). Kristofferson later found success again in films like Lone Star (1996) and the Blade trilogy (1998-2004).
In addition to his acting and music, Kristofferson was politically active, opposing US foreign policy in Central America during the 1980s. He continued making music and performing throughout his career, including as part of the supergroup The Highwaymen alongside Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, and Waylon Jennings.
Kristofferson retired from public life in 2021. His last film role was in Ethan Hawke’s Blaze (2018), and his final album was The Cedar Creek Sessions (2016). He leaves behind his wife, Lisa Meyers, and their five children, as well as three children from his previous marriages to Fran Beer and Rita Coolidge. His influence on both music and film remains indelible, with a legacy that spans decades of artistic brilliance.
