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The Kris Kristofferson Story

Kris Kristofferson, Legendary Country Music and Film Star, Dies at 88

By Jay Coffin

Kris Kristofferson, an American icon whose life spanned music, film, and political activism, died Sept. 28, 2024, at his home, his family announced. He was 88.

“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,” a statement from the Kristofferson family read.

Born June 22, 1936, in Brownsville, Texas, as the son of a U.S. Army Air Corps officer, Kristofferson grew up in a disciplined environment. His family moved often, which gave him a sense of adventure at an early age.

Kristofferson excelled academically and athletically, earning a Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford University in England. There he studied English literature and began to develop a love for music, songwriting and performing. Still, he followed in his father’s footsteps and joined the U.S. Army after completing his degree. He became a helicopter pilot and was stationed in Germany, but he continued to write music as often as he could.

In a defining move, Kristofferson left the military in 1965 to pursue a career in music.

He moved to Nashville and struggled for several years, working odd jobs. While working as a janitor at Columbia Studios, Kristofferson famously landed a helicopter on Johnny Cash’s lawn to get his attention. Years later, in 1970, Cash recorded Kristofferson’s song “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down,” which became a hit and launched Kristofferson’s songwriting career.

Kristofferson quickly became known as one of the best songwriters of his generation. His songs were recorded by some of the biggest names in music, including Janis Joplin, who turned his song “Me and Bobby McGee” into a No. 1 hit. Other notable songs include “Help Me Make It Through the Night,” “For the Good Times,” and “Loving Her Was Easier (Than Anything I’ll Ever Do Again).”

In addition to his music success, Kristofferson pursued a career in acting, his rugged good looks and charisma making him a leading man in the 1970s. He is credited with appearing in more than 80 movie roles that range from Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore (1974) to the cult classic Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid (1973). He starred opposite Barbra Streisand in the 1976 version of A Star is Born, where he earned a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor for his role as John Norman Howard.

Kristofferson also appeared in many television roles. In 1998 he starred in Two for Texas, a Western television film where he played Hugh Allison, one of two prisoners who escape a Louisiana prison and join Sam Houston’s forces to help gain vengeance for the massacre at the Alamo.

In 1986, Kristofferson appeared in the Western television film Stagecoach, where he co-starred alongside Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings. Kristofferson played Ringo Kid as one of a group of strangers who boards a stagecoach eastbound from Arizona. The travelers seem ordinary, but all have deep secrets.

That same year Cash and Kristofferson joined forces again, this time for The Last Days of Frank and Jesse James. Cash was Frank James and Kristofferson played Jesse James as the brother tried to leave their criminal past behind them. But after a brutal attack on their family, they’re forced back into action to seek revenge.

Kristofferson, Cash, Nelson and Jennings formed a super group called The Highwaymen, which is said to have pioneered the outlaw country genre. The group recorded three albums from 1985 to 1995 and the single “Highwaymen” from their first album release became a No. 1 country hit. Kristofferson was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2004.

“Kris Kristofferson believed creativity is God-given, and those who ignore such a gift are doomed to unhappiness,” Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum CEO Kyle Young said in a statement. “He preached that a life of the mind gives voice to the soul, and his work gave voice not only to his soul but to ours. He leaves a resounding legacy.”

Among others who reached out with thoughts on Kristofferson’s life was Dolly Parton, who had these simple, yet beautiful words for her long-time friend.

What a great loss

What a great writer

What a great actor

What a great friend

I will always love you. Dolly.

 

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A post shared by Dolly Parton (@dollyparton)

Kristofferson is survived by his wife, Lisa Meyers; eight children, Tracy, Kris Jr., Casey, Jesse, Jody, John, Kelly and Blake; and seven grandchildren.

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