‘A Star is Born’ actor, country singer Kris Kristofferson passes away at 88
Country singer-songwriter and actor Kris Kristofferson has passed away at the age of 88.
Kristofferson’s family announced his passing on Sunday, saying he died peacefully at his home in Maui, Hawaii. The cause of death was not disclosed.
“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,” read the statement.
Born in Brownsville, Texas on June 22, 1936, Kris Kristofferson was a man of many talents. He excelled as an athlete, served as an army officer and helicopter pilot, and even worked as a bartender and janitor at Columbia Studios.
He broke into the music scene when he landed a National Guard helicopter in Johnny Cash’s backyard, presenting him with Sunday Morning Coming Down. The song would go on to become a number one hit and honored as the Country Music Association's Song of the Year.
Kristofferson is known for his hits Me and Bobby McGee and Help Me Make It Through The Night.
The singer made his acting debut in the early 1970s, starring in films such as Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore (1974) and A Star is Born (1976), for which he won a Golden Globe for Best Actor for his portrayal of John Norman Howard.
Kristofferson grew up in a military family, moving frequently due to his father's Air Force career. He graduated with a degree in creative writing from Pomona College and earned a Rhodes Scholarship to study at Oxford University.
In recent years, Kristofferson faced challenges with memory loss, a struggle that was misdiagnosed for many years. It was thought that he had dementia due to Alzheimer's disease or cognitive issues from head injuries sustained in his youth when he played football, rugby, and boxing.
Kristofferson retired from the entertainment industry in 2021 and had his last full concert in January 2020 as part of the fifth annual Outlaw Country Cruise.
