Country music legend and beloved actor Kris Kristofferson has passed away at the age of 88. According to a representative, Kristofferson was surrounded by his loved ones when he passed away “peacefully” at his home in Maui on Saturday, September 28.
In a heartfelt statement to PEOPLE, his family expressed their grief, saying, “It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of our husband, father, and grandfather, Kris Kristofferson, who peacefully left us on Saturday, September 28. We are truly grateful for the years we had with him. Every rainbow we see will remind us that he’s smiling down on us.”
Inducted Into the Country Music Hall of Fame, Kristofferson’s Influence Endures
Born in Brownsville, Texas, on June 22, 1936, to Mary Ann (Ashbrook) and Lars Henry Kristofferson, a Swedish immigrant and military officer, Kris developed a passion for country music early on. By the age of 11, he had written his first song, “I Hate Your Ugly Face,” as revealed in a 2013 NPR interview. Moving frequently as part of a military family, his teenage years were spent in San Mateo, California.
Kristofferson’s talent emerged early, and at just 18 years old, his short stories “Gone Are the Days” and “The Rock” were featured in Atlantic Monthly. He later attended Pomona College, where his athletic and academic skills earned him a spot in Sports Illustrated’s “Faces in the Crowd” in 1958. After earning a bachelor’s degree in creative writing, he secured a Rhodes Scholarship to study English literature at Oxford University.
Encouraged by his family, Kristofferson joined the U.S. Army after completing his studies. He served as a helicopter pilot and achieved the rank of captain within five years. Despite his military career, his love for songwriting persisted, and after a brief teaching opportunity at West Point, he decided to leave the army in 1965 and pursue music in Nashville.
Reflecting on his experience in Nashville, Kristofferson once described his deep connection with the music community. In a 2010 interview with Clash, he recalled the sense of camaraderie among musicians, which rekindled his passion for music and motivated his move away from the military.
While working at Columbia Studios as a night janitor, Kristofferson submitted some of his early songs, including “For the Good Times” and “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down.” It was Ray Price’s version of “For the Good Times” that became a hit in 1970, earning a Grammy nomination for best country song in 1972 and later being covered by Al Green.
Kristofferson’s song “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down” caught the attention of Johnny Cash, whose performance of the song led it to win the CMA Award for song of the year in 1970. Kristofferson’s other major hit, “Me and Bobby McGee,” co-written with Fred Foster, topped the pop charts in 1971 after being recorded by Janis Joplin.
Throughout the 1970s, Kristofferson’s music career flourished. He released hit songs such as “Loving Her Was Easier” and collaborated with his second wife, Rita Coolidge, on several successful albums. The pair won two Grammys together, solidifying Kristofferson’s legacy as a key figure in country music.
Apart from music, Kristofferson had a successful film career, appearing in movies like Cisco Pike and Pat Garrett & Billy The Kid. His breakthrough came in 1976 with A Star Is Born, opposite Barbra Streisand, a role that earned him a Golden Globe for best actor.
In 1985, Kristofferson joined fellow country legends Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, and Waylon Jennings to form the supergroup The Highwaymen, releasing three albums together over the next decade.
Kristofferson’s long career garnered numerous accolades, including three Grammy Awards, a lifetime achievement award from the Recording Academy, and an Oscar nomination. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2004.
Later in life, Kristofferson battled memory loss, initially misdiagnosed as Alzheimer’s but later attributed to Lyme disease. His wife, Lisa Kristofferson, shared in 2016 that his health had improved after seeking the proper treatment.
Retiring from music in 2021 after the release of his final album The Cedar Creek Sessions, Kristofferson left behind a legacy of timeless music and memorable performances.
His final manager, Clint Higham, described him as “an artist’s artist” and compared his influence to the greats on Mount Rushmore. In his personal life, Kristofferson was married three times and is survived by his eight children.
