Kris Kristofferson, the renowned actor and country singer-songwriter, has died. He was 88.
A representative for the star said he was surrounded by family when he died "peacefully" at his home in Maui on Saturday, Sept. 28.
“It is with a heavy heart that we share the news our husband/father/grandfather, Kris Kristofferson, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 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," his family said in a statement shared with PEOPLE.
Kristofferson was born on June 22, 1936, in Brownsville, Texas, to Mary Ann (née Ashbrook) and Lars Henry Kristofferson — a first-generation Swedish immigrant and U.S. Army Air Corps officer and Air Force general. His love for country music began at a young age, and, according to a 2013 interview withNPR, Kristofferson penned his first song, "I Hate Your Ugly Face," at only 11 years old. A military brat, he moved often throughout his childhood until his family landed in San Mateo, Calif., when he was a teenager.
Per hisofficial website, Kristofferson had two short stories — "Gone Are the Days" and "The Rock" — published inAtlantic Monthly at the age of 18. In 1954, he attended Pomona College in California, where he played football, was crowned a Golden Gloves boxer and served as sports editor of the school paper. His athleticism and academic achievements landed him on the cover ofSports Illustrated's"Faces in the Crowd" issue during his senior year in 1958. After graduating with his bachelor's degree in creative writing from Pomona, Kristofferson earned a Rhodes Scholarship and his master's in English literature at Oxford University's Merton College in 1960.
As reported by theU.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Kristofferson's parents urged him to enlist in the military after college. He joined the U.S. Army and, within five years, became a helicopter pilot and reached the rank of captain. While serving in West Germany in the early '60s, Kristofferson continued to explore songwriting and formed a band with other soldiers. Upon completion of his tour of duty in Germany, Kristofferson was offered a job teaching English at West Point military academy. He soon made his way to Nashville, Tenn., while on leave, which reinvigorated his passion for music and led to him resigning from the Army in 1965.
"I just fell in love with the music community that was going on there," hetoldClashin 2010 of the country music scene in Nashville. "The way the old heroes helped out the new guys. It was a very soulful business at the time; I don't know if it's anything like that now. But it was definitely the best move I've ever made."
In Nashville, Kristofferson submitted songs he wrote while working as a night janitor at Columbia studios, including "For the Good Times" and "Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down." Originally recorded by singer Bill Nash in 1968, "For the Good Times" didn't achieve mainstream success until Ray Price released his version in June 1970, shortly after the song appeared on Kristofferson's debut album in April of that year. The track earned a Grammy nod for best country song in 1972 and famously covered by soul music icon Al Green.
Penned by Kristofferson and also recorded for his first album, "Sunday Mornin' Coming' Down" captured the attention of Nashville crooner Ray Stevens and country music legendJohnny Cash. Cash's rendition forThe Johnny Cash Showlive album won song of the year at theCMA Awardsin 1970 and reached No. 1 onBillboard’s country music chart.
Other covers would follow, including "Me and Bobby McGee" co-written with Fred Foster and released onJanis Joplin's 1971 posthumous album,Pearl. The song became one of Kristofferson and Joplin's biggest hits, reaching No. 1 on the pop charts and earning two Grammy nominations in 1972 for best country song and song of the year. That same year, Kristofferson took home his first-ever Grammy for best country song for Sammi Smith's version of "Help Me Make It Through the Night."
Throughout the '70s, Kristofferson continued to release albums and singles as a recording artist, among which were "Loving Her Was Easier (Than Anything I’ll Ever Do Again)" and the two-time Grammy nominated song "Why Me." He also collaborated with country singerRita Coolidge— his second wife —on several joint albums. The pair won two Grammys for 1973's "From the Bottle to the Bottom" and their 1975 rendition of Clyde McPhatter's 1962 hit "Lover Please."
"He is a poet rather than a musician, more concerned with interpretation than with quality of voice,"The New York Timeswrote in a 1970 profile. "He is at once blunt and mystical, above petty prejudices, strongly appealing to both the campus and to intellectual sets. He is an important link between country, pop and underground music."
Kristofferson's talents extended beyond music and songwriting. He was featured in films like Cisco Pike (1972), Pat Garrett & Billy The Kid (1973) and Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore (1974).
In 1974, KristoffersontoldRolling Stonehe felt confident about his foray into Hollywood despite a lack of formal training.
"I'd never even been in no school play, but I read the Cisco Pike script, and I could identify with this cat, this dope dealer," he explained. "People said, 'Don’t do it, take acting lessons first!' But it seemed to me that acting must be just understanding a character and then being just as honest as you can possibly be."
Then his big break came with his star-turning role as self-destructive rock star John Norman Howard in the 1976 remake ofA Star Is Born. CostarringBarbra Streisandas Esther Hoffman — an unknown singer and John Norman's love interest — the film earned Kristofferson a Golden Globe for best actor in 1977. He also was known for his performances as Whistler in theBladetrilogy oppositeWesley Snipes.
Music was never far behind, though. Kristofferson formed a country supergroup with Cash,Waylon JenningsandWillie Nelsoncalled The Highwaymen. Their first album,Highwayman,and its titular single topped the country charts in 1985. The band released two more albums — 1990'sHighwayman 2and 1995'sThe Road Goes On Forever.
Kristofferson amassed numerous awards and honors over the course of his decades-long career, including three Grammy wins and alifetime achievement honor from the Recording Academyin 2014. He also received an Oscar nomination in 1985 for Best Original Song for the movieSongwriter, where he starred alongside band member Nelson. In 2004, he was inducted into theCountry Music Hall of Fame.
In 2013, the actor-musician opened up abouthis experience with memory loss. Doctors originally misdiagnosed him with Alzheimer's disease, though it was actually Lyme disease,per CBS News. However, according to his wife, Lisa Kristofferson (née Meyers), he sought treatment and saw improvement within weeks.
"He was taking all these medications for things he doesn't have, and they all have side effects," LisatoldRolling Stonein 2016.
She added, "All of a sudden, he was back. There are still bad days, but some days he's perfectly normal, and it's easy to forget that he is even battling anything."
Following the release of his final studio album,The Cedar Creek Sessions, in 2016, the country icon formallyannounced his retirement from musicin 2021 and shared thatMorris Higham Managementwas representing his estate.
"Kristofferson is the artist that every artist strives to be," MHM president and partner Clint Higham wrote in a statement. "He is an artist's artist. If Mount Rushmore had a place for songwriters, Kris would be on it."
When asked what he believed to be the secret of life, Kristofferson toldMen's Journalin 2017, "I had a list of rules I made up one time. It says: Tell the truth, sing with passion, work with laughter, and love with heart. Those are good to start with anyway."
Kristofferson is survived by his wife Lisa, eight children and seven grandchildren.
He was previously married to Frances Beer, with whom he welcomed daughter Tracy in 1962 and son Kris in 1968. He and Coolidge had their daughter, Casey, in 1974. He is also the father of five children with Lisa, including Jesse (1983), Jody (1985), John (1988), Kelly Marie (1990) and Blake (1994).
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