News of actor and country star Kris Kristofferson’s death broke Sunday, September 29. “He was a Rhodes Scholar in Oxford, a defensive back, a bartender, a Golden Gloves boxer, a gandy dancer, a forest firefighter, a road crew member, and an Army Ranger who flew helicopters,†an obituary from PR service Essential Broadcast Media read. “He was a peacenik, a revolutionary, an actor, a superstar, a sex symbol, and a family man. He was commissioned to teach English at West Point, though he gave that up to become a Nashville songwriting bum.â€
Barbra Streisand posted a tribute to her A Star Is Born co-star on Instagram, writing “The first time I saw Kris performing at the Troubadour club in L.A. I knew he was something special.†She recalled playing with him as recently as 2019. “My thoughts go to Kris’ wife, Lisa,†she wrote, “who I know supported him in every way possible.â€
Fans remembered Kristofferson for his deeply held values, which he upheld multiple times at performances. The story of Kristofferson standing by Sinéad O’Connor in her post-SNL nadir was widely shared on social media. O’Connor was getting booed at a Bob Dylan tribute show, and Kristofferson was reportedly asked to get her off stage. He refused, and told O’Connor “Don’t let the bastards get you down.â€
Kristofferson was tributed by those who knew and admired him across the many disciplines he touched. Reba McEntire called him “a gentleman, kind soul, and a lover of words.†Travis Tritt called him “an inspiration,†and Mike Flanagan praised his acting work: “LONE STAR is my personal favorite.†More remembraces of Kris Kristofferson are gathered below.
This post has been updated to excise a story that could not be verified.