Kris Kristofferson, the iconic outlaw country star and celebrated Hollywood actor, passed away on Saturday, September 28, at his residence in Maui, Hawaii. The announcement came from Essential Broadcast Media, although details regarding the cause of death were not disclosed; it was emphasized that he was surrounded by his family during his final moments. Kris Kristofferson was 88 years old.
Born into a military household, Kristofferson spent his childhood moving around frequently due to his father’s career in the armed forces. He studied at Pomona College in California and later earned a prestigious Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford University, where he obtained a master’s degree in English literature. After making an unsuccessful initial attempt to break into the music scene, he enlisted in the U.S. Army.
Once he completed his military service in 1965, Kristofferson moved to Nashville, determined to revive his music career. While working as a janitor at Columbia Records, he began to gain recognition as a talented songwriter. His compositions caught the attention of many artists, with memorable songs like “Me and Bobby McGee” and “Sunday Morning Coming Down” being famously recorded by legends such as Janis Joplin and Johnny Cash. Other performers, including Waylon Jennings and Gladys Knight, also brought Kristofferson’s music to life.
In 1970, he released his debut studio album, aptly named Kristofferson, paving the way for greater acclaim with 1971’s The Silver Tongued Devil and I. The following year, Kristofferson made waves at the Grammy Awards, garnering three nominations for Best Country Song. His poignant piece “Help Me Make It Through the Night” captured the award, surpassing the likes of “Me and Bobby McGee” and “For the Good Times.” He also earned two nominations for Song of the Year.
In addition to his flourishing music career, Kristofferson became a well-known figure in the film industry. Throughout the 1970s, he appeared in films like Cisco Pike and Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid. However, his role alongside Barbra Streisand in the 1976 remake of A Star Is Born truly showcased his acting prowess, earning him a Golden Globe Award. Kristofferson’s film work continued well into the 2010s, featuring in productions such as Heaven’s Gate and several Blade films, as well as Tim Burton’s 2001 adaptation of Planet of the Apes.
A significant milestone in Kristofferson’s musical journey occurred in 1985, when he teamed up with fellow country music icons Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, and Willie Nelson to form the legendary supergroup the Highwaymen. Over their decade-long collaboration, they released three studio albums—1985’s Highwayman, 1990’s Highwayman 2, and 1995’s The Road Goes on Forever—performed countless concerts, and starred together in the film Stagecoach.