Kris Kristofferson, the beloved actor and country music singer-songwriter, passed away at his home in Maui on September 28.
He was 88 years old. A family representative confirmed he died “peacefully” surrounded by loved ones.
In a heartfelt statement, his family expressed their sorrow. They said, “It is with a heavy heart that we share our husband, father, and grandfather, Kris Kristofferson, passed away peacefully. We’re all blessed for our time with him. Thank you for loving him all these years. When you see a rainbow, know he’s smiling down at us.”
Kristofferson was born on June 22, 1936, in Brownsville, Texas. He was the son of Mary Ann and Lars Henry Kristofferson, a Swedish immigrant and U.S. Army officer. His passion for country music began early. According to a 2013 NPR interview, he wrote his first song, “I Hate Your Ugly Face,” at just 11 years old. As a military child, he moved frequently until settling in San Mateo, California, as a teenager.
By 18, Kristofferson had two short stories published in Atlantic Monthly. He attended Pomona College, excelling in football and boxing. He served as the sports editor of the school paper. His achievements led him to the cover of Sports Illustrated in 1958. After earning a bachelor’s degree in creative writing, he received a Rhodes Scholarship, completing his master’s in English literature at Oxford in 1960. Following graduation, his parents encouraged him to enlist in the military. He joined the U.S. Army, becoming a helicopter pilot and reaching the rank of captain.
While stationed in West Germany, Kristofferson formed a band with fellow soldiers. After completing his service, he briefly considered teaching at West Point. However, a trip to Nashville reignited his passion for music, prompting him to resign from the Army in 1965.
“I fell in love with the music community in Nashville,” he told Clash in 2010. “The old heroes helped the new guys. It was a soulful business back then. It was definitely the best move I’ve ever made.” In Nashville, Kristofferson worked as a night janitor at Columbia Studios while submitting his songs, including “For the Good Times” and “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down.”
“For the Good Times,” initially recorded by Bill Nash in 1968, gained fame with Ray Price’s version in 1970. The song earned a Grammy nomination for Best Country Song in 1972 and was later famously covered by Al Green. “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down” caught the attention of Johnny Cash, whose rendition won the CMA Award for Song of the Year in 1970.
Kristofferson co-wrote “Me and Bobby McGee” with Fred Foster, which became a massive hit for Janis Joplin in 1971. The song reached No. 1 on the pop charts and earned two Grammy nominations. He won his first Grammy in 1972 for “Help Me Make It Through the Night,” performed by Sammi Smith.
Throughout the 1970s, Kristofferson continued to release successful albums and singles, including “Loving Her Was Easier (Than Anything I’ll Ever Do Again)” and “Why Me.” He also collaborated with his second wife, Rita Coolidge, earning two Grammys for their work together.
His talents extended to acting, featuring in films like Cisco Pike (1972) and A Star Is Born (1976). His role as John Norman Howard earned him a Golden Globe in 1977. He later starred alongside Wesley Snipes in the Blade trilogy.
In 1985, Kristofferson joined forces with Cash, Waylon Jennings, and Willie Nelson to form The Highwaymen. Their debut album topped the country charts, leading to two more successful releases. Kristofferson received numerous accolades, including three Grammy wins and a lifetime achievement honor from the Recording Academy in 2014.
In 2013, he revealed his battle with memory loss, initially misdiagnosed as Alzheimer’s. It was later determined he had Lyme disease, and with treatment, he experienced significant improvement. He announced his retirement from music in 2021 after releasing his final album, The Cedar Creek Sessions, in 2016.
Kris Kristofferson leaves behind his wife Lisa, eight children, and seven grandchildren. He was previously married to Frances Beer and Rita Coolidge, with whom he shared children. His legacy as a songwriter and performer will endure, celebrated by fans and fellow artists alike.