Country star and actor Kris Kristofferson dies at 88

Admired by Bob Dylan, covered by Janis Joplin and Johnny Cash, the singer-songwriter was also known for his film roles.

Country star, he inspired Bob Dylan: Kris Kristofferson died Saturday September 28, 2024 at the age of 88, his family announced Sunday. “Kris Kristofferson died peacefully on Saturday at his home“, in Hawaii, his relatives indicated on his Facebook site. “When you see a rainbow, know that it is the one that smiles on us all“.

Known for his poetic and literary lyrics, the author notably of the classics Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down (1969) and Me and Bobby McGee (1970), covered by Janis Joplin, Kristofferson was a prominent country singer-songwriter, like Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson, with whom he formed The Highwaymen.

Winner of several Grammy Awards, he joined the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1985 and the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2004.

But he was also a recognized actor. Winner of a Golden Globe in 1976 for his role alongside Barbra Streisand in A star is bornKris Kristofferson also distinguished himself in Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid by Sam Peckinpah in 1973.

Born June 22, 1936 in Brownsville, Texas, Kris Kristofferson first embraced a military career, like his father, before settling in Nashville, the mecca of country music, writing there notably Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down for Johnny Cash.

“There is Nashville before Kris, and Nashville after Kris. Because he changed everything“, underlined Bob Dylan, quoted by Kristofferson’s site. The singer with the hoarse voice, who throughout his life nourished a passion for the English poet William Blake, continued to perform regularly on stage until his artistic retirement at 84 years old, in 2021.

For his part, the singer and actress Barbra Streisand, with whom he shared the poster in A star is bornpaid tribute to him in a post, and remembered casting him for this film after seeing him perform at the Troubadour in Los Angeles. “I knew he had something special.” she wrote. Barefoot, strumming his guitar, he looked like the perfect choice for a script I was developing, which ultimately became A Star is Born.”

This film directed by Frank Pierson was released in 1976. Barbra Streisand plays an unknown singer who falls in love with a rock star, played by Kristofferson, whose career declines while hers takes off. Bradley Cooper made a successful remake in 2018, in which the actor and director starred alongside Lady Gaga.