Renowned singer-songwriter and actor Kris Kristofferson has passed away at 88. Known for his deep lyrics and multifaceted performances, the celebrated artist died at his home in Maui, Hawaii, on Saturday, Sept. 28, said family spokeswoman Ebie McFarland in a statement. “We’re all so blessed for our time with him,” the family expressed in their statement.
Starting his career in the late 1960s, Kristofferson became a pillar in the country music landscape, creating genre-defining songs such as “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down,” “Help Me Make It Through the Night,” and “Me and Bobby McGee.” His songs, covered by notable artists like Janis Joplin and Johnny Cash, earned him an esteemed status as a songwriter.
As a prominent figure in country music, Kristofferson transformed the genre by infusing folk’s emotional honesty with country’s structure. His unprecedented style challenged the genre’s traditional image and brought a fresh wave of songwriting to Nashville. Fellow artist Willie Nelson once said at a 2009 award ceremony, “There’s no better songwriter alive than Kris Kristofferson.”
Born in 1936 in Brownsville, Texas, Kristofferson pursued literature at Pomona College in California before attending the University of Oxford’s Merton College on a Rhodes Scholarship. His early ambition was to become a novelist, but music eventually drew him away from academia. Under the name “Kris Carson,” he started writing and performing songs during his days in the UK.
Following college, Kristofferson served in the U.S. Army, trained as a helicopter pilot, and attained the rank of captain. Despite a promising military career, he left the service to pursue his dreams in Nashville, a decision his military-rooted family disapproved of. “I wanted to be a writer, and I figured that I had to get out and live,” he once shared.
In Nashville, Kristofferson held various jobs, including a janitor at Columbia Records. He became known for his daring move of landing a helicopter on Johnny Cash’s lawn to deliver a demo tape, which led to Cash recording “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down,” a significant hit that boosted Kristofferson’s career.
Alongside songwriting, Kristofferson also established a successful acting career. His debut film was Dennis Hopper’s The Last Movie in 1971. He went on to star in numerous films, including Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid (1973) and Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore (1974). His role in the 1976 remake of A Star Is Born alongside Barbra Streisand won him a Golden Globe for Best Actor.
Kristofferson also used his music as a platform for political commentary. His 1989 album Third World Warrior criticized U.S. foreign policy in Central America, reflecting his outspoken stance against President Ronald Reagan’s administration in the 1980s.
In the mid-1980s, Kristofferson teamed up with Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, and Waylon Jennings to form the supergroup The Highwaymen. Their debut album, Highwayman, was a commercial success and cemented their status as country music icons.
Kristofferson received several awards throughout his career, including three Grammy Awards and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Recording Academy in 2014. The Country Music Association also honored him with the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019.
After retiring from performing and recording in 2021, Kristofferson occasionally made guest appearances, including at Willie Nelson’s 90th birthday celebration in 2023. His last album, The Cedar Creek Sessions, was released in 2016.
Kristofferson’s contributions to both music and film have left an indelible mark on country music history. Country Music Association CEO Sarah Trahern stated, “The country music world has lost one of its most profound storytellers.” He is survived by his wife, Lisa Meyers, their five children, and three children from his previous marriages.