Kris Kristofferson, the legendary artist, actor, and songwriter, passed away peacefully at his home in Maui, Hawaii, on Saturday, Sept. 28, surrounded by loved ones. He was 88 years old.
Born on June 22, 1936, in Brownsville, Texas, Kristofferson left an indelible mark on country music, transforming the genre with his poignant songwriting. He penned iconic tracks such as “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down,” made famous by Johnny Cash, and “Me and Bobby McGee,” a song immortalized by Janis Joplin. His other notable works include “For the Good Times,” which became a No. 1 hit for Ray Price, and “Help Me Make It Through the Night,” a success for Sammie Smith. Kristofferson himself reached No. 1 on the country charts in 1973 with his hit “Why Me.” Later in his career, he joined forces with Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, and Willie Nelson to form the legendary supergroup, The Highwaymen. In recognition of his contributions to the genre, he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2004.
In addition to his music career, Kristofferson made a name for himself in film. He earned a Golden Globe for his performance in “A Star Is Born” and appeared in several other notable films, including “Semi-Tough,” “Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid,” and “Blade.”
Kristofferson is survived by his wife, Lisa, as well as his eight children—Tracy, Kris Jr., Casey, Jesse, Jody, John, Kelly, and Blake—and seven grandchildren. The family expressed their deep sadness over his passing but shared their gratitude for the time they had with him. They encouraged fans to remember him whenever they see a rainbow, a symbol of his enduring spirit.
