Grammy-winning singer and actor Kris Kristofferson has been remembered as an “inspiration” who left a “resounding legacy” following his death at age 88.
The American country music star died “peacefully” at his home in Maui, Hawaii on Saturday, a statement issued on behalf of his family said.
During his career, the veteran musician wrote a host of classic standards which were covered by artists including Janis Joplin and Johnny Cash and he worked with film directors including Martin Scorsese.
His family also confirmed the news on his Instagram account, writing in the statement: “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.”
Born in 1936 to an Air Force major general, Kristofferson served as an army ranger who flew helicopters in the US Army during his own stint in the service.
He also studied literature at Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar after finishing his undergraduate degree at Pomona College in California.
Kristofferson later pivoted his career to music and headed to Nashville to pursue being a professional songwriter.
He went on to write standards such as Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down, which became a hit for Cash, For The Good Times, which became a number one for Ray Price, and Me And Bobby McGee, which was covered by Joplin.
Kristofferson was awarded a Golden Globe for his work opposite Barbra Streisand in the 1976 remake of musical romantic drama A Star is Born.
Sad to hear of Kris Kristofferson’s passing. He was an inspiration to me and I was fortunate to get to know him on the set of “Outlaw Justice” that we filmed in Spain in 1998. My heartfelt condolences go out to Kris’s wife Lisa and all of his family, friends and fans. pic.twitter.com/9ahARfnNLD
— Travis Tritt (@TravisTritt) September 29, 2024
Among those paying tribute was Grammy-winning singer Travis Tritt who hailed him as an “inspiration”.
He added: “I was fortunate to get to know him on the set of “Outlaw Justice” that we filmed in Spain in 1998.
“My heartfelt condolences go out to Kris’s wife Lisa and all of his family, friends and fans.”
“Kris Kristofferson believed creativity is God-given, and those who ignore such a gift are doomed to unhappiness. 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.”—Kyle Young,… pic.twitter.com/JMyZp6lJUr
— Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum (@countrymusichof) September 29, 2024
In 2004, Kristofferson was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
The chief executive for the Country Music Hall of Fame, Kyle Young, said: “Kris Kristofferson believed creativity is God-given, and those who ignore such a gift are doomed to unhappiness.
“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.”
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