Award-winning country singer and actor Kris Kristofferson has passed away. He was 88. Surrounded by family at his home in Maui, Kristofferson's death on September 28 was announced through a heartfelt message shared by his loved ones on Instagram.
The family requested privacy during this difficult time, expressing their gratitude for the love he received throughout his life.
"It is with a heavy heart that we share the news our husband/father/grandfather, Kris Kristofferson, passed away peacefully at home," the family wrote.
"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," the statement further read.
The multi-award winner was known for his songwriting, notably credited for 'Me and Bobby McGee', and 'Help Me Make It Through the Night', among others. He also acted in the hit movie A Star Is Born.
Kristofferson was born in June 22, 1936 in Texas and soon became a leading musician specialising in country music. He served in the US Army as a helicopter pilot before pursuing a career in songwriting.
His journey into music began in Nashville, where he met Johnny Cash, leading to significant collaborations that shaped his career. He wrote classics like 'Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down', 'Help Me Make it Through the Night', 'For the Good Times' and 'Me and Bobby McGee'. Interestingly, many of his songs were best known as performed by others like Ray Price singing 'For the Good Times' or Janis Joplin singing 'Me and Bobby McGee'.
He won three Grammys for best country song, 'Help Me Make It Through the Night' in 1972, and two separate duets with Rita Coolidge (1974, 1976), to whom he was married in the 1970s. He was also nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song Score for Songwriter alongside Willie Nelson.
It was in 1971 that he debuted as an actor, but his big break came when he acted as John Norman Howard in A Star Is Born in 1976 where he starred alongside Barbra Streisand. His portrayal won him the Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy.
In addition to his music career, Kristofferson appeared in several notable films, including Payback (1999) and the original Blade trilogy. He also starred alongside Ellen Burstyn in Martin Scorsese's Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore (1974).
Despite his struggles with alcoholism and substance abuse, Kristofferson remained a powerful voice for social change, advocating for workers' rights, immigration reform, and farmers' issues. Kristofferson began experiencing debilitating memory loss in his mid-70s. Doctors told him it appeared to be the onset of Alzheimer's disease or dementia. It was in 2016 that it was revealed that he was diagnosed with Lyme disease which caused the memory issues. His memory returned partially after he began treatment for it. He also kept himself active during that year as he organised a musical tour. He retired performing and recording in 2021.
Kristofferson is survived by his third wife Lisa, his eight children, and seven grandchildren.
