The country star Kris Kristofferson has died, aged 88. He died at his home in Hawaii, a family spokesperson said. “He was something special,” says the actress Barbra Streisand in a statement.
Kris Kristofferson’s famous songs
The multitasker Kristofferson’s career took off in the late 1960s. The American, with roots in Texas and Sweden, wrote classics such as “Sunday mornin’ comin’ down”, “Help me make it through the night” and “For the good times”.
He was a performer himself, but many of his songs gained the most attention when performed by others—for example Janis Joplin version of “Me and Bobby McGee” that she recorded shortly before she died of an overdose in 1970.
Got a Golden Globe
Kristofferson was also an actor, and played, for example, the main role opposite Barbra Streisand in “A star is born” (1976), for which he was awarded a Golden Globe. He also starred in ‘Blade’ which premiered in 1998.
“The first time I saw Kris perform was at The Troubadour club in Los Angeles. I knew he was something special. Barefoot with his guitar, he seemed perfect for the script I was working on, which eventually became ‘A star is born,'” writes Barbra Streisand on social media.
Kristofferson starred opposite Barbra Streisand in “A star is born” (1976), for which he was awarded a Golden Globe. Here they are seen with the film’s producer Jon Peters (left). File photo.Had the band The Highwaymen with Willie Nelson
Kristofferson married the singer and songwriter Draw Coolidge 1973. They enjoyed a successful career as a duo, winning two Grammys, before parting ways in 1980.
Rita Coolidge and Kris Kristofferson in 1973. Image source: AP/TT Image
During the 1980s he also had success with the group The Highwaymen formed with the country colleagues Johnny Cash, Will Nelson and Waylon Jennings. The group released three albums between 1985-1995.
Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson in 1992. Image Source: AP Photo/Douglas Pizac/TT Image Dolly Parton on Kris Kristofferson
Kristofferson’s grandmother and grandfather were first-generation immigrants to the United States from Sweden.
Kris Kristofferson retired from performing and recording music in 2021, and has since made only occasional guest appearances on stage. According to the family spokesperson, he fell asleep surrounded by his family.
“What a great loss. What a great songwriter. What a great actor. What a great friend,” writes the singer Dolly Parton on social media and ends with the words “I will always love you”, which is also the title of her most famous song.
Kris Kristofferson’s family on grief: “Heavy heart”
A representative of his surviving family writes in a statement People that he died peacefully at his home in Maui on Saturday, September 28.
“It is with heavy hearts that we share that our husband/father/grandfather, Kris Kristofferson, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 28th at his home. We are all so blessed for our time with him. Thank you for loving him all these years, and when you see a rainbow, know that he is smiling down on us all,” the family wrote, according to People.
Kris Kristofferson was 88 years old.