Tributes have poured in for Kris Kristofferson, the award-winning country singer and actor, who passed away at the age of 88. Dolly Parton expressed her sorrow, stating, “What a great loss. What a great writer. What a great actor. What a great friend,” closing her tribute with the heartfelt words, “I will always love you,” a nod to one of her iconic songs.
Barbra Streisand recalled knowing Kristofferson was “something special” when she first saw him perform. The two shared top billing in the 1976 remake of A Star Is Born, where they sang the Oscar-winning love theme “Evergreen.” Streisand invited him to join her on stage in London’s Hyde Park in 2019, reminiscing about the joy of seeing him receive the accolades he so richly deserved.
Kristofferson, acclaimed for his songwriting, is best known for hits like “Me and Bobby McGee” and “Help Me Make It Through the Night.” Kyle Young, CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame, remarked, “He created a body of work that gave voice not only to his soul but to ours.”
A representative announced that Kristofferson passed away “peacefully” at his home in Hawaii on Saturday, surrounded by family. They described him as “a peacenik, a revolutionary, an actor, a superstar, a sex symbol, and a family man.” His family expressed gratitude for the time they shared with him, stating, “Thank you for loving him all these many years, and when you see a rainbow, know he’s smiling down at us all.”
Singer LeAnn Rimes paid tribute with a photo and the message, “An epic human with the biggest heart. You will be so, so missed. Rest easy, my friend.” Melissa Etheridge and Reba McEntire also shared their admiration, with McEntire calling him “a gentleman, kind soul, and a lover of words.”
Born on June 22, 1936, in Brownsville, Texas, Kristofferson became a prominent figure in country music, aiming to bring respect to the genre.
He studied writing at Pomona College, later attending Oxford as a Rhodes scholar, and earned a master’s degree in 1960 before joining the army. After resigning from military service, he moved to Nashville in 1965 to pursue a music career.
Kristofferson’s contributions to music and film earned him three Grammy Awards, an Oscar nomination for Best Original Score in 1985 for Songwriter, and numerous lifetime achievement honors from prestigious organizations.
He also formed the supergroup The Highwaymen with Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, and Waylon Jennings.
Kristofferson is survived by his wife Lisa, eight children, and seven grandchildren. His legacy as a songwriter and actor continues to resonate within the music and film industries.
