Legendary actor and singer Kris Kristofferson has died at age 88 after a prolific life of hits, accolades and sporting and academic achievements.
The artist’s family released a statement saying that Kristofferson had passed away peacefully on Saturday at his home.
“We’re all so blessed for our time with him,” the statement said.
“Thank you for loving him all these many years, and when you see a rainbow, know he’s smiling down at us all.”
Singer Dolly Parton reacted to the news describing Kristofferson’s passing as a “great loss” of a great writer and actor.
Kristofferson’s song writing credits include “Me and Bobby McGee”, “For the Good Times”, “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down”, and “Help Me Make It Through the Night”.
In 1985, Kristofferson joined fellow country artists Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash in the country music supergroup the Highwaymen.
As an actor, he starred in movies such as Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore (1974), A Star Is Born (1976), Convoy (1978), Heaven’s Gate (1980), Stagecoach (1986), Lone Star (1996), and the Blade film trilogy (1998–2004).
Kristofferson was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2004 and won a Golden Globe (for A Star Is Born).
In 1958, Kristofferson was awarded a Rhodes Scholarship to the University of Oxford. He was an accomplished athlete, winning awards for boxing and rugby during his time at Oxford.
