Legendary country music singer/songwriter and Hollywood star Kris Kristofferson passed away “peacefully” at his home in Maui on Saturday, his family confirmed. He was 88.
A statement to People magazine from the “A Star is Born” actor’s family read, “It is with a heavy heart that we share the news our husband/father/grandfather, Kris Kristofferson, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 28 at home.”
“We’re all so blessed for our time with him,” the statement from Kristofferson’s family added. “Thank you for loving him all these many years, and when you see a rainbow, know he’s smiling down at us all.”
Born in 1936 in Texas, Kristofferson got his start in the entertainment industry after moving to Tennessee in the 1960’s because of his love for songwriting. He worked as a night janitor at Columbia Studios and would submit songs he wrote like “For the Good Times” and “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down.”
Speaking to Clash in 2010, Kristofferson said he fell in love with the music community in Nashville.
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“Kris Kristofferson believed creativity is God-given, and those who ignore such a gift are doomed to unhappiness. He preached that a life of the mind gives voice to the soul, and his work gave voice not only to his soul but to ours. He leaves a resounding legacy.”
—Kyle Young,… pic.twitter.com/JMyZp6lJUr— Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum (@countrymusichof) September 29, 2024
“The way the old heroes helped out the new guys,” Kristofferson said. “It was a very soulful business at the time; I don’t know if it’s anything like that now. But it was definitely the best move I’ve ever made.”
He continued writing songs and had massive success with hits like “Me and Bobby McGee” and “Help Me Make it Through the Night,” the Associated Press noted.
“He is a poet rather than a musician, more concerned with interpretation than with quality of voice,” The New York Times wrote in a 1970 profile. “He is at once blunt and mystical, above petty prejudices, strongly appealing to both the campus and to intellectual sets. He is an important link between country, pop and underground music.”
Kristofferson then entered the world of Hollywood, starring in movies like Martin Scorsese’s 1974 film “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore,” and in 1976’s “A Star Is Born,” alongside Barbra Streisand. Later, he performed opposite Wesley Snipes in Marvel’s “Blade” in 1998, the AP noted.
Following news of his death, stars like Dolly Parton, Streisand and more shared tributes to him.
“What a great loss,” Parton wrote. “What a great writer. What a great actor. What a great friend. I will always love you, Dolly.”
Streisand labeled her former co-star “something special” and recalled how in their movie, “Kris and I sang the song I’d written for the film’s main love theme, “Evergreen.” For my latest concert in 2019 at London’s Hyde Park, I asked Kris to join me on-stage to sing our other A Star Is Born duet, “Lost Inside Of You.” He was as charming as ever, and the audience showered him with applause. It was a joy seeing him receive the recognition and love he so richly deserved.”
Country star Travis Tritt wrote that Kristofferson was, “an inspiration to me and I was fortunate to get to know him on the set of “Outlaw Justice” that we filmed in Spain in 1998. My heartfelt condolences go out to Kris’s wife Lisa and all of his family, friends and fans.”
Reba McEntire took to social media calling Kristofferson, “a gentleman, kind soul, and a lover of words. I am so glad I got to meet him and be around him. One of my favorite people. Rest in peace, Kris.”
Kristofferson is survived by his wife Lisa, eight children and seven grandchildren, People noted.
