Country music legend and acclaimed actor Kris Kristofferson passed away on Saturday at the age of 88, surrounded by his family. The cause of death was not disclosed. Kristofferson, who had announced his retirement in 2021, was a pioneering figure in the country music scene, known for his soulful songwriting and chart-topping hits such as “Why Me” and “Me & Bobby McGee,” the latter famously covered by Janis Joplin.
Born on June 22, 1936, in Brownsville, Texas, Kristofferson developed a love for music at a young age, influenced by the country and Norteño music he heard on local radio stations. He wrote his first song at the age of 11, and his passion for writing continued throughout his life. His early years were marked by frequent moves due to his father’s military career, but his family eventually settled in San Mateo, California.
After high school, Kristofferson attended Pomona College in Claremont, where he played football and won a short-story contest held by The Atlantic Monthly. Encouraged by his philosophy professor, he applied for and won a Rhodes scholarship, studying literature at The University of Oxford in England. After graduating in 1960, he returned to California and married his high school sweetheart, Fran Beer.
Kristofferson’s military service began in 1960, training as a helicopter pilot and later serving in West Germany. Despite his military commitments, he continued to write songs and perform with a band of fellow soldiers. After leaving the military, he moved to Nashville, determined to make it in the music industry. His breakthrough came in 1969 when Johnny Cash recorded his song, “Sunday Morning Coming Down,” which won the 1970 Country Music Association’s song of the year trophy.
In addition to his music career, Kristofferson found success in acting. He starred in the 1976 remake of “A Star Is Born” alongside Barbra Streisand, and played the role of vampire hunter Abraham Whistler in the “Blade” trilogy. His performance in “A Star Is Born” earned him a Golden Globe, and the film became the third highest-grossing film of 1976.
In 1985, Kristofferson joined Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, and Willie Nelson to form the country supergroup “Highwaymen.” The group released three studio albums and remained close friends even after disbanding. Throughout his career, Kristofferson received numerous awards, including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014 and induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2004.
In his later years, Kristofferson battled Lyme Disease, which had initially been misdiagnosed as Alzheimer’s or Dementia. Despite the challenges, he remained philosophical about life, expressing gratitude for his journey. He is survived by his wife, Lisa Meyers, and his eight children.