Kris Kristofferson, Country Singer & ‘A Star Is Born’ Actor, Dies At 88

Kris Kristofferson, a successful country singer-songwriter and Hollywood film and TV star, died Saturday at his home in Maui at the age of 88. 

While no cause of death was given, he was described as passing away peacefully while surrounded by family.

In a statement given by Kristofferson’s family, his loved ones said, “It is with a heavy heart that we share the news our husband/father/grandfather, Kris Kristofferson, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Sept. 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.” 

The music star was born in Brownsville, Texas on June 22, 1936. His father, Lars Henry Kristofferson, was a U.S. Army Air Corps officer and Air Force general. Coming from a military family, Kristofferson moved to many different places throughout his childhood. His family settled in San Mateo, California when he was a teenager. 

Kristofferson’s love for country music began at a young age. When he was 11, he composed his first song, “I Hate Your Ugly Face.”

In 1954, the musician attended Pomona College and eventually received his bachelor’s degree in creative writing. From there, Kristofferson obtained his master’s in English literature at Oxford University’s Merton College in 1960. 

After some pleading from his parents, Kristofferson enlisted in the U.S. Army. While serving, he continued to explore his passion for songwriting, leading him to form a band with other soldiers. In 1965, the singer resigned from the Army and made his way to Nashville to continue his music career. 

In Nashville, Kristofferson worked as a janitor at Columbia Recording Studios while simultaneously writing songs. At that studio, he met June Carter and gave a demo tape to pass along to her husband, Johnny Cash. When Kristofferson heard no reply from Cash, he landed a helicopter in his backyard to reach him. 

At the start of his career, Kristofferson wrote many hits for other singers, such as Dave Dudley, Ray Stevens, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Cash. In 1970, he released his debut album, Kristofferson. The singer also won his first Grammy in 1971, with “Help Me Make It Through the Night” winning Best Country Song. 

Kristofferson released several albums in the 1970s but spent the latter half of the decade working on his acting career. The singer-turned-actor was featured in many notable films, but perhaps his best performance came in 1976—the second remake of A Star Is Born. 

Arguably, his most distinguished music collaboration came with The Highwaymen, featuring Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson. Between 1985 and 1995, the group released three albums together. 

While achieving many awards throughout his career – including being added to the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1985 and the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2004 – Kristofferson retired from recording and performing in 2021. 

Kristofferson is survived by his wife Lisa Meyers, eight children and seven grandchildren.