From Barbra Streisand to Dolly Parton, stars remember singer, songwriter, actor Kris Kristofferson
Kris Kristofferson FILE PHOTO: Singer/Songwriter Kris Kristofferson performs during NSAI 50 Years of Songs at Ryman Auditorium on September 20, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images) (Rick Diamond/Getty Images)
ByNatalie Dreier, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
Fans and celebrities alike are mourning the death of singer, songwriter and actor Kris Kristofferson.
Kristofferson died Saturday at his home at the age of 88. No cause of death was given, Variety reported.
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum CEO Kyle Young said on social media that “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.” Kristofferson was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2004.
“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
Travis Tritt appeared in the 1999 film “Outlaw Justice” with Kristofferson, Us Weekly reported. Tritt wrote “Sad to hear of Kris Kristofferson’s passing. He 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 also posted that Kristofferson was “a gentleman, kind soul, and a lover of words.”
What 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. pic.twitter.com/Qeqs44e4KZ
Co-star and entertainment icon Barbra Streisand reminisced about meeting Kristofferson writing on Instagram, “The first time I saw Kris performing at the Troubadour club in L.A. I knew he was something special. Barefoot and strumming his guitar, he seemed like the perfect choice for a script I was developing, which eventually became A Star Is Born. In the movie, Kris and I sang the song I’d written for the film’s main love theme, “Evergreen.” The two performed another song from the film together during Streisand’s 2019 concert at Hyde Park — “Lost Inside of You.”
Dolly Parton who wrote several songs with Kristofferson wrote on Instagram, “What a great loss What a great writer What a great actor What a great friend. I will always love you, Dolly.”
Kristofferson wrote “For the Good Times” which Dolly Parton performed as a song of heartbreak, Independent said.
Kristofferson also wrote Janis Joplin’s hit “Me and Bobby McGee;” “Help Me Make It Through the Night” which was sung by Johnny Cash, Elvis, Willie Nelson, Gladys Knight, Tammy Wynette and Joan Baez; “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down,” sung by Johnny Cash and “Once More with Feeling,” sung by Jerry Lee Lewis, according to Independent.
Before becoming a multi-faceted entertainer, Kristofferson was a Rhodes Scholar, studying literature at Oxford University. He was also a captain in the U.S. Army and helicopter pilot, the Country Music Hall of Fame said.
Two weeks before he was supposed to begin teaching English literature at West Point, he resigned from his commission and went to Nashville to become a professional songwriter.
Kristofferson was also a boxer, rugby star and football player while in college, The Associated Press reported.
He also acted in several films on the small screen as well as the big screen, including “Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid,” “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore” “A Star is Born” and “Blade,” according to his IMDB profile.
Kristofferson retired from performing and recording in 2021. He was suffering from memory loss, People magazine reported. He did make some appearances on stage such as Nelson’s 90th birthday celebration at the Hollywood Bowl in 2023, the AP reported.
Kristofferson leaves behind his wife, eight children and seven grandchildren, Variety reported.
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Through the years Kris Kristofferson, U.S. actor, musician and singer, playing the guitar and singing into a microphone during a concert performance, circa 1970. (Photo by Su Ingle/David Reffern/Redferns/Getty Images) (David Redfern/Redferns)
Through the years American singer Kris Kristofferson poses for a portrait in London, England, September 7, 1970. (Photo by TPLP/Getty Images) (TPLP/Getty Images)
Through the years 1970's Actor, singer, songwriter, and musician, Kris Kristofferson wearing a white T shirt sits on a piano bench with a microphone in front of him while playing an acoustic twelve-string guitar at Combine Studios in Nashville, Tennessee in 1970. (Photo by Al Clayton/Getty Images). (Al Clayton Photography, LLC/Getty Images)
Through the years Kris Kristofferson at a photoshoot in Vancouver, Canada in 1972. (Photo by Gijsbert Hanekroot/Redferns) (Gijsbert Hanekroot/Redferns)
Through the years LOS ANGELES - CIRCA 1973: Husband and wife musicians Rita Coolidge and Kris Kristofferson pose for a portrait circa 1973. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
(Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
Through the years MAY 30: Alice Hyatt (Ellen Burstyn) holds David (Kris Kristofferson) in a scene from the movie "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore" which was released on May 30, 1975. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) (Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
Through the years Actor Kris Kristofferson as 'John Norman Howard' in film 'A Star Is Born', 1976. (Photo by Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images) (Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images)
Through the years A Star is Born Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson pose for a romantic publicity portrait for the 1976 movie. (Photo by Screen Archives/Getty Images) (Screen Archives/Getty Images)
Through the years 1978 - New York: Ali The Actor. Former heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali (L) and popular singer/actor Kris Kristofferson make their debuts as stars of television drama in Freedom Road, a four hour miniseries based on Howard Fast's novel of the same tittle. Ali plays a former slave Gideon Jackon and Kristofferson is sharecropper Abner Lait. (Bettmann/Bettmann Archive)
Through the years NEW YORK - MAY 03: Musicians Kris Kristofferson and Ani DiFranco perform in the Clearwater Benefit Concert Celebrating Pete Seeger's 90th Birthday at Madison Square Garden on May 3, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images) (Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)
Through the years PHOENIX - MARCH 20: Kris Kristofferson performs at Celebrity Fight Night XVI on March 20, 2010 at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images for Celebrity Fight Night) (Michael Buckner)
Through the years NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 07: Inductee Kris Kristofferson at the 2010 Nashville Music City Walk of Fame Induction Ceremony at Walk of Fame Park on November 7, 2010 in Nashville City. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images) (Rick Diamond/Getty Images)
Through the years CENTURY CITY, CA - JANUARY 15: Musician Kris Kristofferson performs onstage during the 36th Annual Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards at the InterContinental Hotel on January 15, 2011 in Century City, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images) (Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)
Through the years LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 13: Singer/actors Kris Kristofferson and Barbra Streisand speak onstage during The 53rd Annual GRAMMY Awards held at Staples Center on February 13, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Through the years INDIO, CA - APRIL 30: Musician Kris Kristofferson performs onstage during 2011 Stagecoach: California's Country Music Festival at the Empire Polo Club on April 30, 2011 in Indio, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) (Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Through the years WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 21: Country music singers and songwriters (L-R) Kris Kristofferson, Lyle Lovett and Darius Rucker perform songs during a student music program in the State Dining Room of the White House November 21, 2011 in Washington, DC. Part of a program called "The History of Country Music: From Barn Dances to Pop Charts," the legendary artists answered questions and performed music for about 120 students from Anacostia and Woodrow Wilson high schools and Newport Middle School. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Through the years NASHVILLE, TN - APRIL 16: Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson backstage during Keith Urban's Fourth annual We're All For The Hall benefit concert at Bridgestone Arena on April 16, 2013 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum) (Rick Diamond)
Through the years NASHVILLE, TN - APRIL 16: Tim McGraw and Kris Kristofferson backstage at Keith Urban's Fourth annual We're All For The Hall benefit concert at Bridgestone Arena on April 16, 2013 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum) (Rick Diamond)
Through the years BOSTON, MA - MAY 10: (L-R) Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson perform during the 2013 Berklee College Of Music Commencement Concert at Berklee College of Music on May 10, 2013 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Paul Marotta/Getty Images) (Paul Marotta/Getty Images)
Through the years LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 26: Musician Kris Kristofferson performs onstage during the 56th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on January 26, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) (Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Through the years SAN ANTONIO, TX - MAY 18: (L - R) San Antonio Mayor Ivy Taylor, Cecilia Abbott, Kris Kristofferson, Phil Collins, Texas General Land Commissioner George P. Bush, Bill Paxton, and EVP & GM, HISTORY Dirk Hoogstra attend the "Texas Honors" event to celebrate the epic new HISTORY miniseries "Texas Rising" at the Alamo on May 18, 2015 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Rick Kern/Getty Images for HISTORY) (Rick Kern)
Through the years NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 05: Kris Kristofferson attends the Imagine: John Lennon 75th birthday concert at Madison Square Garden on December 5, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Rob Kim/Getty Images) (Rob Kim/Getty Images)
Through the years NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - MARCH 16: Emmylou Harris, Kris Kristofferson, and Rosanne Cash attend The Life & Songs of Kris Kristofferson produced by Blackbird Presents at Bridgestone Arena on March 16, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Essential Broadcast Media) (Rick Diamond)
Through the years NASHVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 16: Kris Kristofferson performs onstage during the 2016 Medallion Ceremony at Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on October 16, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum) (Rick Diamond)
Through the years NASHVILLE, TN - AUGUST 24: Kris Kristofferson performs onstage during Skyville Live Presents a Tribute to Jerry Lee Lewis on August 24, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Skyville) (Rick Diamond)
Through the years NASHVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 20: Singer/Songwriter Kris Kristofferson performs during NSAI 50 Yearsof Songs at Ryman Auditorium on September 20, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images) (Rick Diamond/Getty Images)
Through the years NASHVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 26: L/R: Kris Kristofferson performs during A Look Into The Life & Songs Of Kris Kristofferson on The Steps at WME on October 26, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images) (Rick Diamond/Getty Images)
Through the years NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - OCTOBER 22: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Kris Kristofferson and Brenda Lee attend the Class of 2023 Medallion Ceremony at Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on October 22, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum) (Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for Country Music H)