Kris Kristofferson, a Rhodes scholar known for his compelling writing style and rugged charm, who rose to prominence as a country music superstar and an A-list Hollywood actor, has died.
Kristofferson passed away at his home in Maui, Hawaii, on Saturday, as confirmed by family spokeswoman Ebie McFarland in an email. He was 88 years old.
According to McFarland, Kristofferson died peacefully, surrounded by his family, although no cause of death was specified.
Beginning in the late 1960s, the Brownsville, Texas native penned numerous country and rock ‘n’ roll classics, including “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down,” “Help Me Make it Through the Night,” “For the Good Times,” and “Me and Bobby McGee.” While Kristofferson performed his own music, many of his most famous songs were popularized by other artists, such as Ray Price’s rendition of “For the Good Times” and Janis Joplin’s iconic performance of “Me and Bobby McGee.”
He starred alongside Ellen Burstyn in Martin Scorsese’s 1974 film “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore,” appeared with Barbra Streisand in the 1976 remake of “A Star Is Born,” and acted alongside Wesley Snipes in the 1998 Marvel film “Blade.”
A gifted poet who could recite William Blake from memory, Kristofferson infused his intricate folk lyrics about loneliness and tender romance into mainstream country music. With his long hair, bell-bottomed slacks, and counterculture songs influenced by Bob Dylan, he epitomized a new generation of country songwriters, alongside contemporaries like Willie Nelson, John Prine, and Tom T. Hall.
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