Country Music Legend and Hollywood Star, Kris Kristofferson, Passes At 88
Kris Kristofferson, the legendary country singer-songwriter and actor, has passed away at the age of 88. Surrounded by his family, Kris died peacefully at his home in Maui on Saturday, September 28. His family expressed their love and gratitude, saying, “We’re all so blessed for our time with him. Thank you for loving him all these many years, and when you see a rainbow, know he’s smiling down at us all.”
Born on June 22, 1936, in Brownsville, Texas, Kris was raised in a military family. His father, Lars Kristofferson, was a U.S. Army Air Corps officer and Air Force general, while his mother, Mary Ann, supported Kris’s early love for music. By the age of 11, he wrote his first song titled I Hate Your Ugly Face.
As a young man, Kris was not only creative but also excelled in academics and sports. He attended Pomona College in California, where he was a football player, boxer, and even the sports editor of the school newspaper. His athleticism landed him on the cover of Sports Illustrated in 1958. After college, Kris was awarded a Rhodes Scholarship and earned a master’s degree in English literature from Oxford University in 1960.
Kris followed in his family’s footsteps and enlisted in the U.S. Army, quickly rising to the rank of captain and becoming a helicopter pilot. During his service in West Germany, he formed a band with fellow soldiers and reignited his love for songwriting. However, his heart was set on music, and in 1965, Kris resigned from the Army to pursue his true passion in Nashville.
In Nashville, Kris worked as a janitor at Columbia Studios while writing songs that would later shape country music history. One of his most famous songs, For the Good Times, earned a Grammy nomination, while Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down became a hit thanks to Johnny Cash’s rendition, which won Song of the Year at the CMA Awards in 1970.
Kris also co-wrote Me and Bobby McGee, made famous by Janis Joplin, which became one of his most iconic songs. Over his career, he won three Grammy Awards and countless other accolades, solidifying his place as a giant in country music.
In the ’70s, Kris began exploring a new path in acting. He starred in films like Cisco Pike from 1972, Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid from 1973, and Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore from 1974. But his big Hollywood break came in 1976 when he starred alongside Barbra Streisand in A Star is Born, winning a Golden Globe for Best Actor. Fans later remembered him for his role as Whistler in the Blade movie trilogy.
Kris was also part of the supergroup The Highwaymen, alongside Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, and Waylon Jennings. Their hit single Highwayman topped the charts, and the band remained a staple of country music throughout the ’80s and ’90s.
In his later years, Kris faced health challenges, including memory loss that was initially misdiagnosed as Alzheimer’s but was later revealed to be Lyme disease. With the help of his wife, Lisa Kristofferson, he received treatment and saw significant improvement.
Despite the ups and downs of life, Kris never lost his sense of purpose or passion. In 2021, he officially retired from music, leaving behind a rich legacy of songs and performances that will forever inspire artists and fans alike.
Kris is survived by his wife, Lisa, his eight children, and seven grandchildren.
