Kris Kristofferson, the legendary country musician cum actor, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 28, 2024, at his home in Maui, Hawaii, aged 88. His family confirmed his demise through spokeswoman Ebie McFarland, who disclosed that Kris was surrounded by his loved ones before he passed on.
The statement reads:
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“It is with a heavy heart that we share the news our husband/father/grandfather, Kris Kristofferson, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Sept. 28 at home. 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.”
Who was Kris Kristofferson, the actor, pilot, writer, and Golden Gloves boxer?
Kris Kristofferson had an impressive portfolio. He was a Rhodes scholar, U.S. Army veteran, pilot, Golden Gloves boxer, writer, and, as if that weren't enough, an award-winning actor. Some of his most famous songs include Me and Bobby McGee, Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down, and Help Me Make It Through the Night. However, his songs were best known as covers performed by others.
Born Kristoffer Kristofferson in Brownsville, Texas, on June 22, 1936, he moved all over the country as a child due to his father's military position. He graduated from San Mateo High School in 1954, after which he enrolled at Pomona College. While he initially set out to become a writer, his knack for storytelling saw him become a songwriter instead.
Nonetheless, several of his essays earned him awards. During his time at Palmona, he was also an athlete, having played rugby union, American football, and track and field. In 1958, he was offered the Rhodes Scholarship to join the University of Oxford. He continued his passion for athletics while working on kickstarting his singing career.
The veteran singer also served in the military and, in true Kristofferson fashion, excelled in this field as well. He started as a second lieutenant but went on to become a captain. During this time, he also earned his helicopter pilot license. On the side, he formed a band and began focusing on his music, eventually pursuing it full-time.
While he nabbed the Veteran of the Year Award at the 2003 American Veterans Awards ceremony, he struggled to make his big break in the singing world for many years. He even worked as a janitor to make ends meet. Things started taking off for him when major stars like Tom T. Hall, Ray Price, Roger Miller, Ray Stevens, and Cash began recording covers of his songs.
Come 1970, Kristofferson released his debut solo album, featuring the hit track Me and Bobby McGee. Janis Joplin, Kirstofferson's ex-girlfriend, recorded the hit track with him just before she passed away that year from drug overdose, and the song went on to dominate the Billboard Hot 100 in 1971. Arguably, it is also one of her most famous songs.
By that year, Kris Kristofferson decided to dip his toes in acting. He has since worked in prominent films like A Star Is Born (1976), for which he bagged a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor, Convoy (1978), Heaven's Gate (1980), Stagecoach (1986), and Lone Star (1996). He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2004. In 2014, he earned the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
Kris Kristofferson married fellow songwriter Rita Coolidge in 1973. The two divorced six years later. He is survived by his wife, Lisa; his eight children from three different marriages, Tracy, Kris Jr., Casey, Jesse, Jody, John, Kelly, and Blake; and his seven grandchildren,
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