Following the passing of country music legend and actor Kris Kristofferson, who has sadly passed away at the age of 88, both the music industry and Hollywood have now taken to social media to pay tribute. The tributes are led by Kristofferson’s music icon and co-star of the 1976 Academy Award-winning A Star Is Born, Barbra Streisand. Streisand took to Instagram to reflect on the first time she saw Kristofferson perform and what it was like working alongside him.
“The first time I saw Kris performing at the Troubadour club in L.A. I knew he was something special. Barefoot and strumming his guitar, he seemed like the perfect choice for a script I was developing, which eventually became A Star Is Born. In the movie, Kris and I sang the song I’d written for the film’s main love theme, “Evergreen.”
For my latest concert in 2019 at London’s Hyde Park, I asked Kris to join me on-stage to sing our other A Star Is Born duet, “Lost Inside Of You.” He was as charming as ever, and the audience showered him with applause. It was a joy seeing him receive the recognition and love he so richly deserved. My thoughts go to Kris’ wife, Lisa who I know supported him in every way possible.”
Kristofferson’s friend and collaborator Dolly Parton also paid tribute on Instagram. The pair performed several duets together over the years, including “From Here to the Moon and Back” and “Put It Off Until Tomorrow,” with Parton calling his passing “a great loss.”
“What a great loss. What a great writer. What a great actor. What a great friend. I will always love you, Dolly”
Kristofferson Passed Away Peacefully on September 28
As well as his glittering country music career, Kristofferson was also known for roles on the big screen. One of his most beloved is that of Whistler in the Blade franchise, with Blade 2 director and Oscar-winning filmmaker Guillermo del Toro taking to X/Twitter to praise the actor as “principled” and “funny.”
“He was a true and tried humanist and a stand up fella. Principled, funny and absolutely no-nonsense. Our brief and intense time on Blade 2 was full of lessons to be learned. What a gent! Rest in Peace, oh great one!”
Further tributes were paid by Kristofferson’s Travis Tritt, who starred alongside Kristofferson in the 1999 WesternThe Long Kill (also known as Outlaw Justice). The country singer and actor took to X to share images of himself alongside Kristofferson, saying,”Sad to hear of Kris Kristofferson’s passing. He was an inspiration to me and I was fortunate to get to know him on the set of “Outlaw Justice” that we filmed in Spain in 1998. My heartfelt condolences go out to Kris’s wife Lisa and all of his family, friends and fans.” Fellow country singer and actress Reba McEntire, meanwhile, wrote via X, “What a gentleman, kind soul, and a lover of words. I am so glad I got to meet him and be around him. One of my favorite people. Rest in peace, Kris.”
Kristofferson passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 28. You can read more tributes to the beloved singer and actor below.