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.”
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.”
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.”
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.