Kris Kristoffersonhas died at the age of 88. Born in 1936 in Brownsville, Texas, Kristofferson is known for his work in both music and acting, with a career that spanned over four decades. Among his notable roles include parts inBladeand the 1976version ofA Star is Born.
PerVariety, Kristofferson passed away on Saturday at his home in Maui, Hawaii. The specific cause of death was not revealed, but it issaid that he passed away peacefully, surrounded by family. Left behind in said family includes his wife, Lisa, who he married in 1983, his eight children, and his seven grandchildren. The family released a kind statement noting that “It is with heavy heart” that they shared the news of Kristofferson’s passing. The family said that they were “so blessed for [their] time with him.” The family’s statement is below:
It is with a heavy heart that we share the news our husband/father/grandfather, Kris Kristofferson, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Sept. 28 at home. 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.
In addition to the family’s statement, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum CEO Kyle Young also issued a tribute statement about Kristofferson, which can be found below:
Kris Kristofferson believed to his core that creativity is God-given, and that those who ignore or deflect such a holy gift are doomed to failure and unhappiness. He preached that a life of the mind gives voice to the soul, and then he created a body of work that gave voice not only to his soul but to ours. Kris’s heroes included the prize fighter Muhammad Ali, the great poet William Blake, and the ‘Hillbilly Shakespeare,’ Hank Williams. He lived his life in a way that honored and exemplified the values of each of those men, and he leaves a righteous, courageous and resounding legacy that rings with theirs.
Kris Kristofferson’s Career & Notable Roles
Kristofferson’s Career Launched In The Early ’70s
Before he was known as an actor, Kristofferson had already made a name for himself in country music. While the singer would go on to sing some of his own work,he was also a prolific songwriter who penned work for other artists. He authored his first no. 1 country hit with “For The Good Times” for Ray Price in 1970. After that, he also wrote several other no. 1 hits, including Johnny Cash’s “Sunday Morning Coming Down,” Sammi Smith’s “Help Me Make It Through the Night,” and Janis Joplin’s posthumous chart-topper “Me and Bobby McGee.”
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As he was writing these hit songs, Kristofferson alsolaunched his career in acting during the early ’70s. This included roles inThe Last Movie,Blume in Love, andPat Garrett & Billy the Kid. In 1976, he played one of his most notable roles by playing the male lead of John opposite Barbra Streisand’s Esther in music movie remakeA Star is Born. After that, Kristofferson continued his career in both music and acting. He had another significant role years later, playing Whistler in theBladetrilogy.
Kristofferson Will Be Remembered For His Multi-Industry Spanning Career
Kristofferson Won Three Grammys
One of the most impressive things about Kristofferson’s career is his iconic status in both the movie and music industries. I think his three Grammy wins (and 13 nominations) are proof enough of his impactful status within the music industry. His musical skills also translated directly into his film career, asA Star Is Bornsees him play a musician. Theartist also got nominated for an Oscar for Best Original Songfor the movieSongwriter. Overall,Kristoffersonwill be remembered for this multi-genre genius, and his presence in both industries will be missed.
