Grammy-winning singer and actor Kris Kristofferson dies aged 88

A Star is Born co-star Barbra Streisand described him as ‘something special’ after the country music star’s death was announced by his family.

Grammy-winning singer and actor Kris Kristofferson whose lyrics inspired generations has died at the age of 88, it has been announced by his family. His A Star is Born co-star Barbra Streisand paid tribute saying he was “something special”.

The American country music star died “peacefully” at his home in Maui, Hawaii on Saturday surrounded by family, a representative confirmed. Kristofferson is survived by his wife, Lisa, his eight children and seven grandchildren.

“We’re all so blessed for our time with him,” a family statement added. “Thank you for loving him all these many years, and when you see a rainbow, know he’s smiling down at us all.”

A leading figure in country music, he also starred in the 1976 remake of A Star is Born and won a Golden Glob for his portrayal of singer John Norman Howard opposite Barbra Streisand

Sharing a tribute on Instagram, Streisand said “I knew he was something special” the first time she saw him perform. Barefoot and strumming his guitar, he seemed like the perfect choice for a script I was developing, which eventually became A Star Is Born,” she wrote.

Streisand continued: “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.”

The film scored the Oscar for best original song, for Evergreen and the singer also won the Grammy for best country song in 1972 for Help Me Make It Through the Night, as well as two Grammy-winning duets with his former wife Rita Coolidge in 1974 and 1976.

Among the musicians paying tribute to Kristofferson was US country star Dolly Parton, who wrote on Instagram: “What a great loss.

“What a great writer. What a great actor. What a great friend. I will always love you, Dolly.”

Born in 1936 to an Air Force major general, Kristofferson served as an army ranger who flew helicopters in the US Army during his own stint in the service. He also studied literature at Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar after finishing his undergraduate degree at Pomona College in California.

His family were upset but Kristofferson turned his career towards music and headed to Nashville to pursue being a professional songwriter. He went on to write standards such as Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down, which became a hit for Johnny Cash; For The Good Times, covered by Ray Price; and Me And Bobby McGee, which was a hit rendition by Janis Joplin.

In 2004, Kristofferson was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. The chief executive for the Country Music Hall of Fame, Kyle Young, wrote on X: “Kris Kristofferson believed creativity is God-given, and those who ignore such a gift are doomed to unhappiness.

“He preached that a life of the mind gives voice to the soul, and his work gave voice not only to his soul but to ours. He leaves a resounding legacy.”