Kris Kristofferson Passes Away, Aged 88

Kris Kristofferson, the renowned country singer-songwriter and actor, passed away “peacefully” on Saturday (28 September). He was 88.

The devastating news was confirmed by the entertainer’s family, who shared the following statement on social media and with press outlets:

It is with a heavy heart that we share the news our husband/father/grandfather, Kris Kristofferson, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 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.

The family have asked for privacy at this time. No cause of death has been revealed.

Some of Kristofferson’s best-known songwriting credits include Me And Bobby McGee, For The Good Times, Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down, and Help Me Make It Through The Night, all of which became mega-hits for other artists.

Kris Kristofferson released his debut album, Kristofferson, in 1970. Throughout his career, he released 22 solo albums and four live albums, appeared on six compilation albums, and made guest appearances with artists such as Scott Joss and Moby.

Kristofferson, active in music since the ‘60s, joined forces with country superstars Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, and Willie Nelson to form the supergroup The Highwaymen in 1985, a band that ended up being a pivotal point for outlaw country music.

As an actor, Kristofferson showed diversity just like he did within his music career, appearing in films such as roles in Pat Garrett And Billy The Kid (1973), A Star Is Born (1976) – which earned him a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor, Heaven's Gate (1980), Lone Star (1996), and the Blade film trilogy (1998–2004), and more. In 2004, Kristofferson was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

In 2013, CBS News reported that Kristofferson, then struggling with memory problems, had been misdiagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and was actually suffering from Lyme disease.

“He was taking all these medications for things he doesn't have, and they all have side effects,” his wife Lisa told Rolling Stone in 2016.

She added, “All of a sudden, he was back. There are still bad days, but some days he's perfectly normal, and it's easy to forget that he is even battling anything.”

Kris Kristofferson released his final album, The Cedar Creek Sessions, in 2016. In 2021, he announced his retirement from music and shared that Morris Higham Management would be in charge of his estate.

MHM president and partner Clint Higham said: “Kristofferson is the artist that every artist strives to be. He is an artist's artist. If Mount Rushmore had a place for songwriters, Kris would be on it.”

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