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'{{Short description|American country singer (1936–2024)}} {{Redirect|Kristofferson}} {{More citations needed|date=September 2024}} {{Recent death}} {{Use American English|date=August 2019}} {{Use mdy dates|date=September 2024}} {{Infobox person | name = Kris Kristofferson | image = Kristofferson - 78.jpg | caption = Kristofferson in 1978 | birth_name = Kristoffer Kristofferson | birth_date = {{Birth date|1936|6|22}} | birth_place = [[Brownsville, Texas]], U.S. | death_date = {{Death date and age|2024|9|28|1936|6|22}} | death_place = [[Hana, Hawaii]], U.S. | education = {{ubl | [[Pomona College]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]]) | [[Merton College, Oxford]] ([[Bachelor of Philosophy|BPhil]]) }} | occupation = {{hlist|Singer|musician|songwriter|actor}} | years_active = 1959–2020 | spouse = {{ubl | {{marriage|Frances Beer|1960|1969|end=div}} | {{marriage|[[Rita Coolidge]]|1973|1980|end=div}} | {{marriage|Lisa Meyers|1983}} }} | children = 8 | module2 = {{Infobox musical artist|embed=yes | background = person<!-- track if single person or group for hCard microformat: use value person or group_or_band. --> | instrument = {{Hlist | Vocals | guitar | harmonica}}<!--- If you think an instrument should be listed, a discussion to reach consensus is needed first per: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Infobox_musical_artist#instrument---> | genre = {{Hlist| | [[Country music|Country]] | [[outlaw country]] | [[country rock]] }} | label = {{Hlist | [[Monument Records|Monument]] | [[Mercury Records|Mercury]] | [[Warner Bros. Records|Warner Bros.]] | [[New West Records|New West]] | [[Columbia Records|Columbia]]}} | past_member_of = [[The Highwaymen (country supergroup)|The Highwaymen]] | website = {{URL|kriskristofferson.com}} }} }} '''Kristoffer Kristofferson''' (June 22, 1936 – September 28, 2024) was an American [[country music|country singer]], songwriter and actor. Among his songwriting credits are "[[Me and Bobby McGee]]", "[[For the Good Times (song)|For the Good Times]]", "[[Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down]]", and "[[Help Me Make It Through the Night]]", all of which were hits for other artists. In 1985, Kristofferson joined fellow country artists [[Waylon Jennings]], [[Willie Nelson]] and [[Johnny Cash]] in the country music supergroup [[The Highwaymen (country supergroup)|the Highwaymen]], which was a key creative force in the [[outlaw country]] music movement that eschewed the traditional [[Nashville sound|Nashville country music]] machine in favor of independent songwriting and producing. As an actor, Kristofferson was known for his roles in ''[[Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid]]'' (1973), ''[[Blume in Love]]'' (1973), ''[[Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore]]'' (1974), ''[[A Star Is Born (1976 film)|A Star Is Born]]'' (1976) (which earned him a [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy|Golden Globe Award for Best Actor]]), ''[[Convoy (1978 film)|Convoy]]'' (1978), ''[[Heaven's Gate (film)|Heaven's Gate]]'' (1980), ''[[Stagecoach (1986 film)|Stagecoach]]'' (1986), ''[[Lone Star (1996 film)|Lone Star]]'' (1996), and the [[Blade (franchise)|''Blade'' film trilogy]] (1998–2004). Kristofferson was inducted into the [[Country Music Hall of Fame]] in 2004. == Early life and education == Kristoffer Kristofferson was born in [[Brownsville, Texas]], to Mary Ann (née Ashbrook) and Lars Henry Kristofferson, a [[United States Army Air Corps|U.S. Army Air Corps]] officer (later a [[United States Air Force|U.S. Air Force]] [[major general]]).<ref name="Times, San Mateo">{{cite news |title=Death claims famed pilot |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/52168909/henry-christopher-kristofferson/ |access-date=May 26, 2020 |work=The Times |date=January 4, 1971 |location=San Mateo, California |page=3 |quote=Famed Pilot Henry C. Kristofferson, 65, famed pilot and former division for Pan American world Airways when he was a resident of San Mateo, died... two sons, Kraig and Kris who has recently found fame as a folk music and country-western singer |archive-date=February 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228010226/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/52168909/henry-christopher-kristofferson/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Kristofferson's paternal grandfather was an officer in the [[Swedish Army]].<ref name="oconnor" /> While Kristofferson was a child, his father pushed him toward a military career.<ref name="oconnor">{{cite news |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/kris-kristofferson-an-outlaw-at-80-20160606 |title=Kris Kristofferson Following his passions – wherever they may lead |publisher=dallasnews.com – Archives |first=Colleen |last=O'Connor |access-date=February 2, 2013 |archive-date=June 22, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180622192919/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/kris-kristofferson-an-outlaw-at-80-20160606 |url-status=live }}</ref> === San Mateo, California === Kristofferson moved around frequently as a youth because of his father's military service, and the family settled in [[San Mateo, California]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|last=Zompolis|first=Gregory N.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1Y4A9uWMrAYC|title=Images of America, San Mateo|publisher=Arcadia Publishing|year=2004|isbn=0738529567|location=Charleston, SC|pages=60–65}}</ref> He graduated from [[San Mateo High School]] in 1954. An aspiring writer, Kristofferson immediately enrolled in [[Pomona College]]. His early writing included prize-winning essays, and "The Rock" and "Gone Are the Days" were published in ''[[The Atlantic|The Atlantic Monthly]]''. These early stories reveal the roots of Kristofferson's passions and concerns. "The Rock" is about a geographical feature resembling the form of a woman, while the latter was about a racial incident.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://kriskristoffersonfan.com/sample-page/biography/kris-kristofferson-short-stories/|title=Kris Kristofferson Short Stories|website=Kris Kristofferson by Fans, for Fans|language=en-US|access-date=June 2, 2019|archive-date=February 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228011429/https://kriskristoffersonfan.com/sample-page/biography/kris-kristofferson-short-stories/|url-status=live}}</ref> At the age of 17, Kristofferson took a summer job with a [[dredging]] contractor on [[Wake Island]] in the western Pacific Ocean. He called it "the hardest job I ever had".<ref>interview on Hawaii Public Radio, June 2, 2011</ref> === Pomona College === Kristofferson attended [[Pomona College]] and experienced his first national exposure in 1958, appearing in the March 31 issue of ''[[Sports Illustrated]]'' for his achievements in collegiate [[rugby union]], [[American football]], and track and field.<ref name="sipobck">{{cite news |url=https://www.si.com/vault/1958/03/31/670415/kristoffer-kristofferson |magazine=Sports Illustrated |title=Kristoffer Kristofferson |agency=(A Pat on the Back) |date=March 31, 1958 |page=80 |access-date=October 1, 2019 |archive-date=October 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191001041031/https://www.si.com/vault/1958/03/31/670415/kristoffer-kristofferson |url-status=live }}</ref> He and his classmates revived the [[Claremont Colleges]] Rugby Club in 1958, and it remains a Southern California rugby institution. Kristofferson graduated in 1958 with a [[Bachelor of Arts]] degree, ''[[summa cum laude]]'', in [[literature]]. He was elected to [[Phi Beta Kappa]] his junior year. In a 2004 interview with ''Pomona College Magazine'', Kristofferson mentioned philosophy professor [[Frederick Sontag]] as an important influence in his life.<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.pomona.edu/Magazine/PCMWin04/FSkristofferson.shtml |title=Acts of Will |journal=Pomona College Magazine |issue=Winter 2004 |url-status=dead |access-date=February 2, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130907031352/http://www.pomona.edu/Magazine/pcmwin04/FSkristofferson.shtml |archive-date=September 7, 2013 }}</ref> In 1973, Kristofferson received an honorary doctorate in fine arts from Pomona College during Alumni Weekend, accompanied by fellow performers [[Johnny Cash]] and [[Rita Coolidge]]. His award was presented to him by his aforementioned mentor, Professor Sontag.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 7, 2014 |title=1973 |url=https://www.pomona.edu/timeline/1970s/1973 |access-date=December 4, 2020 |website=Pomona College Timeline |language=en |archive-date=October 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028055226/https://www.pomona.edu/timeline/1970s/1973 |url-status=live }}</ref> === University of Oxford === In 1958, Kristofferson was awarded a [[Rhodes Scholarship]] to the [[University of Oxford]],<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk/scholars-volunteers/rhodes-scholar-database/ |title=Kristofferson entry on Rhodes Trust database |access-date=April 24, 2022 |archive-date=July 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220701093733/https://www.rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk/scholars-volunteers/rhodes-scholar-database/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> studying at [[Merton College, Oxford|Merton College]].<ref name="MCreg">{{cite book|editor1-last=Levens|editor1-first=R.G.C.|title=Merton College Register 1900-1964|date=1964|publisher=Basil Blackwell|location=Oxford|page=505}}</ref> While at Oxford, he was awarded a [[Blue (university sport)|Blue]] for [[boxing]],<ref name="MCreg" /> played [[Rugby union|rugby]] for his college, and began writing songs. At Oxford, he became acquainted with fellow Rhodes scholar, art critic, and poet [[Michael Fried]]. With the help of his manager, [[Larry Parnes]], Kristofferson recorded for [[Top Rank Records]] under the name Kris Carson. Parnes was working to sell Kristofferson as "a Yank at Oxford" to the British public; Kristofferson was willing to accept that promotional approach if it helped his singing career, which he hoped would enable him to progress toward his goal of becoming a novelist.<ref>Schneider, Jason [https://archive.today/20120709062416/http://exclaim.ca/articles/multiarticlesub.aspx?csid1=137&csid2=9&fid1=41445 "Kris Kristofferson: the Pilgrim's Progress"] ''[[Exclaim!]]'' October 2009.</ref> This early phase of his music career was unsuccessful.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ohboy.com/krisbio.html |title=Oh Boy Records &#124; Kris Kristofferson Bio |publisher=Ohboy.com |access-date=April 10, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091105011304/http://www.ohboy.com/krisbio.html |archive-date=November 5, 2009 }}</ref> In 1960, Kristofferson graduated with a [[B.Phil.]] degree in [[English literature]].<ref name="MCreg" /><ref>[http://www.pomona.edu/Magazine/pcmwin04/FSkristofferson.shtml] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130907031352/http://www.pomona.edu/Magazine/pcmwin04/FSkristofferson.shtml|date=September 7, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cmt.com/artists/kris-kristofferson/biography/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130226121614/http://www.cmt.com/artists/kris-kristofferson/biography |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 26, 2013 |title=Kris Kristofferson Bio |publisher=CMT |access-date=August 26, 2015}}</ref> In 1961, he married his longtime girlfriend, Frances "Fran" Mavia Beer.<ref name="MCreg" /> == Career == === Military service === Kristofferson, under pressure from his family, joined the [[United States Army|U.S. Army]] and was commissioned as a [[second lieutenant]], attaining the rank of [[Captain (United States O-3)|captain]]. He became a helicopter pilot after receiving flight training at [[Fort Rucker]], [[Alabama]]. He also completed [[Ranger School]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.defense.gov/News/Feature-Stories/story/Article/2538793/sports-heroes-who-served-singer-songwriter-actor-kris-kristofferson-is-also-an/|title=Sports Heroes Who Served: Singer, Songwriter, Actor Kris Kristofferson Is Also an Army Veteran|first=David|last=Vergun|website=www.defense.gov|date=March 23, 2021|access-date=June 17, 2022|archive-date=September 30, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240930021453/https://www.defense.gov/News/Feature-Stories/story/Article/2538793/sports-heroes-who-served-singer-songwriter-actor-kris-kristofferson-is-also-an/|url-status=live}}</ref> During the early 1960s, he was stationed in [[West Germany]] as a member of the [[8th Infantry Division (United States)|8th Infantry Division]].<ref>{{Cite book|title = Kristofferson: The Wild American|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=FILwohIvXCMC&pg=PT70|publisher = Omnibus Press|date = December 17, 2009|isbn = 9780857121097|first = Stephen|last = Miller|access-date = January 2, 2022|archive-date = September 30, 2024|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240930021525/https://books.google.com/books?id=FILwohIvXCMC&pg=PT70#v=onepage&q&f=false|url-status = live}}</ref> During this time, he resumed his music career and formed a band. In 1965, after his tour in Germany ended, Kristofferson was given an assignment to teach English literature at [[United States Military Academy|West Point]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.clashmusic.com/feature/kris-kristoffersons-rock-and-rules |title=Kris Kristofferson's Rock And Rules &#124; Clash Music Exclusive Interview |publisher=Clashmusic.com |date=July 27, 2010 |access-date=January 5, 2012 |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303232841/http://www.clashmusic.com/feature/kris-kristoffersons-rock-and-rules |url-status=live }}</ref> Instead, he decided to leave the Army and pursue songwriting. His family disowned him because of his career decision; sources are unclear on whether they reconciled.<ref>{{cite magazine |author=Cheryl McCall |url=http://people.com/archive/cover-story-cant-keep-kris-down-vol-16-no-10/ |title=Can't Keep Kris Down |magazine=People |access-date=November 8, 2016 |archive-date=February 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228010350/https://people.com/archive/cover-story-cant-keep-kris-down-vol-16-no-10/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.biography.com/people/kris-kristofferson-177860#synopsis |title=Kris Kristofferson |publisher=Biography.com |access-date=November 8, 2016 |archive-date=November 7, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107172400/http://www.biography.com/people/kris-kristofferson-177860#synopsis |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last=Schrodt |first=Paul |url=http://www.esquire.com/features/what-ive-learned/learned-kris-kristofferson-0599 |title=Kris Kristofferson Interview - Quotes about his Kids, Sex, and Rock and Roll |journal=Esquire |date=January 29, 2007 |access-date=August 26, 2015 |archive-date=January 13, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150113082747/http://www.esquire.com/features/what-ive-learned/learned-kris-kristofferson-0599 |url-status=live }}</ref> They saw it as a rejection of everything they stood for, although Kristofferson says he is proud of his time in the military and received the Veteran of the Year Award at the 2003 American Veterans Awards ceremony.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PU-A7eqadho&NR=1 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111217033550/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PU-A7eqadho| archive-date=December 17, 2011 | url-status=dead|title=WIllie and Kris at the AVA's! |website=YouTube |date=June 23, 2011 |access-date=November 11, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.v-r-a.org/docs/AVA8.htm |title=8th Annual Veterans Awards |publisher=V-r-a.org |date=November 26, 2002 |access-date=November 11, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130603203940/http://www.v-r-a.org/docs/AVA8.htm |archive-date=June 3, 2013 }}</ref> === Music === After leaving the army in 1965, Kristofferson moved to [[Nashville, Tennessee|Nashville]]. Struggling for success in music, he worked odd jobs in the meantime while burdened with medical expenses resulting from his son's defective [[esophagus]]. He and his wife soon divorced.{{citation needed|date=September 2024}} Kristofferson got a job sweeping floors at [[Bradley Studios#Columbia Studios|Columbia Recording Studios]] in Nashville. He met [[June Carter]] there and asked her to give [[Johnny Cash]] a tape of his. She did, but Cash put it on a large pile with others. He also worked as a commercial helicopter pilot for south Louisiana firm [[Petroleum Helicopters International]] (PHI), based in [[Lafayette, Louisiana]]. Kristofferson recalled of his days as a pilot, "That was about the last three years before I started performing, before people started cutting my songs. I would work a week down here [in south Louisiana] for PHI, sitting on an oil platform and flying helicopters. Then I'd go back to Nashville at the end of the week and spend a week up there trying to pitch the songs, then come back down and write songs for another week. I can remember "[[Help Me Make It Through the Night]]" I wrote sitting on top of an oil platform. I wrote "[[Me and Bobby McGee|Bobby McGee]]" down here, and a lot of them [in south Louisiana]."<ref>Ron Thibodeaux, [http://www.nola.com/music/t-p/index.ssf?/base/entertainment-0/116478236147900.xml&coll=1 "He Made It through the Night"], {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930185002/http://www.nola.com/music/t-p/index.ssf?%2Fbase%2Fentertainment-0%2F116478236147900.xml&coll=1 |date=September 30, 2007 }} ''[[New Orleans Times-Picayune]]'', November 29, 2006.</ref> Weeks after giving Carter his tapes, Kristofferson landed a helicopter in Cash's front yard, gaining his full attention.<ref>{{cite magazine | last = Hawke | first = Ethan | author-link = Ethan Hawke | title = The Last Outlaw Poet | magazine = [[Rolling Stone]] | issue = 1076 | page = 57 | date = April 16, 2009 | url = https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/kris-kristofferson-last-outlaw-poet-ethan-hawke-interview-714098/ | access-date = May 23, 2009 | archive-date = February 28, 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220228010432/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/kris-kristofferson-last-outlaw-poet-ethan-hawke-interview-714098/ | url-status = live }}</ref> A story about Kristofferson having a beer in one hand and some songs in the other upon arrival was reputed, but was later refuted, with Kristofferson saying, "It was still kind of an invasion of privacy that I wouldn't recommend. To be honest, I don't think he was there. John had a pretty creative memory."<ref>[https://www.post-gazette.com/ae/music/2010/06/10/Never-a-great-singer-Kris-Kristofferson-has-had-an-amazing-career-nonetheless/stories/201006100491 "Never a great singer, Kris Kristofferson has had an amazing career nonetheless"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228010424/https://www.post-gazette.com/ae/music/2010/06/10/Never-a-great-singer-Kris-Kristofferson-has-had-an-amazing-career-nonetheless/stories/201006100491 |date=February 28, 2022 }}. ''[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]]''.</ref> Upon hearing "[[Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down]]", however, Cash decided to record it, and in 1970 Kristofferson won Songwriter of the Year for the song at the [[Country Music Association Awards]].{{citation needed|date=September 2024}} [[File:Kris Kristofferson Rita Coolidge.jpg|thumb|left|220px|Kristofferson with Rita Coolidge at the 1972 [[Dripping Springs Reunion]]]] In 1966, [[Dave Dudley]] released a successful Kristofferson single, "Viet Nam Blues." In 1967, Kristofferson signed to [[Epic Records]] and released a single, "Golden Idol/Killing Time," but the song was not successful. Within the next few years, more Kristofferson originals hit the charts, performed by [[Roy Drusky]] ("Jody and the Kid"); [[Billy Walker (musician)|Billy Walker]] & the Tennessee Walkers ("From the Bottle to the Bottom"); [[Ray Stevens]] ("[[Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down]]"); [[Jerry Lee Lewis]] ("Once More with Feeling"); [[Faron Young]] ("Your Time's Comin'"); and [[Roger Miller]] ("Me and Bobby McGee", "Best of all Possible Worlds", and "Darby's Castle"). He was successful as a performer following Johnny Cash's introduction of him at the [[Newport Folk Festival]].{{citation needed|date=September 2024}} Kristofferson signed with [[Monument Records]] as a recording artist. In addition to running that label, [[Fred Foster]] also served as manager of [[Combine Music]], Kristofferson's songwriting label. His debut album for Monument in 1970—''[[Kristofferson (album)|Kristofferson]]''—included a few new songs as well as many of his previous hits. The album initially sold poorly, but would become a success the following year after it was re-released under the title ''Me & Bobby McGee''. Kristofferson's songs were still in demand. [[Ray Price (musician)|Ray Price]] ("[[For the Good Times (song)|For the Good Times]]"), [[Gladys Knight & the Pips]] ("Help Me Make It Through The Night"), [[Waylon Jennings]] ("The Taker"), [[Bobby Bare]] ("Come Sundown"), [[Johnny Cash]] ("Sunday Morning Coming Down"), and [[Sammi Smith]] ("Help Me Make It Through the Night") all recorded successful versions of his songs in the early 1970s. "For the Good Times" ([[Ray Price (musician)|Ray Price]]) won "Song of the Year" in 1970 from the [[Academy of Country Music]], while "Sunday Morning Coming Down" (Johnny Cash) won the same award from the academy's rival, the [[Country Music Association]], in the same year. This is the only time an individual received the same award from these two organizations in the same year for different songs.{{citation needed|date=September 2024}} In 1971, [[Janis Joplin]], who had dated Kristofferson, had a number one hit with "Me and Bobby McGee" from her posthumous album ''[[Pearl (Janis Joplin album)|Pearl]]''. It stayed on the number-one spot on the charts for weeks. More hits followed from others: Ray Price ("I'd Rather Be Sorry"); [[Joe Simon (musician)|Joe Simon]] ("Help Me Make It Through the Night"); [[Bobby Bare]] ("Please Don't Tell Me How the Story Ends"); [[O.C. Smith]] ("Help Me Make It Through the Night"); [[Jerry Lee Lewis]] ("Me and Bobby McGee"); [[Patti Page]] ("I'd Rather Be Sorry"); and [[Peggy Little]] ("I've Got to Have You"). Country music performer [[Kenny Rogers]] recorded some of Kristofferson's songs, including a version of "Me and Bobby McGee" in 1969 with [[Kenny Rogers and The First Edition|the First Edition]] for the ''[[Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town (album)|Ruby, Don't Take Your Love To Town]]'' album.{{citation needed|date=September 2024}} Kristofferson released his second album—''[[The Silver Tongued Devil and I]]''—in 1971. It included "[[Lovin' Her Was Easier (Than Anything I'll Ever Do Again)]]". This success established Kristofferson's career as a recording artist. Soon after, Kristofferson made his acting debut in ''[[The Last Movie]]'' (directed by [[Dennis Hopper]]), and appeared at the [[Isle of Wight Festival 1970|Isle of Wight Festival]]. A portion of his Isle of Wight performance is featured on the three disc compilation, ''The First Great Rock Festivals of the Seventies''. In 1971, he acted in ''[[Cisco Pike]]'', and released his third album, ''[[Border Lord]]''. The album was all-new material and sales were sluggish. He also swept the [[Grammy Awards]] that year with numerous songs nominated, winning country song of the year for "Help Me Make It Through the Night". Kristofferson's 1972 fourth album, ''[[Jesus Was a Capricorn]]'', initially had slow sales, but the third single, "[[Why Me (Kris Kristofferson song)|Why Me]]", was a success and significantly increased album sales. It sold over one million copies, and was awarded a [[music recording sales certification|gold disc]] by the [[Recording Industry Association of America|RIAA]] on November 8, 1973.<ref name="The Book of Golden Discs">{{cite book| first= Joseph| last= Murrells| year= 1978| title= The Book of Golden Discs| edition= 2nd| publisher= Barrie and Jenkins Ltd| location= London| page= [https://archive.org/details/bookofgoldendisc00murr/page/330 330]| isbn= 0-214-20512-6| url-access= registration| url= https://archive.org/details/bookofgoldendisc00murr/page/330}}</ref> In 1972, Kristofferson appeared with [[Rita Coolidge]] on British TV on BBC's ''[[The Old Grey Whistle Test]]'', performing a physically intimate version of "Help Me Make It Through the Night". Also in 1972, [[Al Green]] released his version of "[[For the Good Times (song)|For the Good Times]]" on the album ''[[I'm Still in Love with You (Al Green album)|I'm Still in Love with You]]''.{{citation needed|date=September 2024}} === Film === For the next several years, Kristofferson focused on acting. He appeared in ''[[Cisco Pike]]'' (1972) with [[Gene Hackman]]; ''[[Blume in Love]]'' (1973), directed by [[Paul Mazursky]]; three [[Sam Peckinpah]] films: ''[[Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid]]'' (1973), ''[[Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia]]'' (1974), and ''[[Convoy (1978 film)|Convoy]]'' (1978); and [[Michael Ritchie (filmmaker)|Michael Ritchie]]'s ''[[Semi-Tough]]'' (1977) with [[Burt Reynolds]]. He continued acting in [[Martin Scorsese]]'s ''[[Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore]]'' (1974), ''[[Vigilante Force]]'' (1976), ''[[The Sailor Who Fell from Grace with the Sea (film)|The Sailor Who Fell from Grace with the Sea]]'' (1976), and the romantic drama ''[[A Star Is Born (1976 film)|A Star Is Born]]'' (1976) with [[Barbra Streisand]], for which he received a [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy|Golden Globe Award for Best Actor]]. At the peak of his box office power, Kristofferson turned down [[William Friedkin]]'s ''[[Sorcerer (film)|Sorcerer]]'' (1977) and the romantic war film ''[[Hanover Street (film)|Hanover Street]]'' (1979). Despite his success with Streisand, Kristofferson's solo musical career headed downward with his non-charting ninth album, ''[[Shake Hands with the Devil (album)|Shake Hands with the Devil]]''. His next film, the two-part 1979 [[NBC]]-TV movie ''[[Freedom Road]]'', did not get good ratings.{{citation needed|date=September 2024}} Kristofferson was next cast in the lead role as the enigmatic Sheriff James Averill in [[Michael Cimino]]'s bleak and sprawling 1980 anti-Western ''[[Heaven's Gate (film)|Heaven's Gate]]''. Despite being a scandalous studio-bankrupting and industry-changing failure at the time (it cost Kristofferson his Hollywood A-list status), the film gained critical recognition in subsequent years. In 1981, he co-starred with [[Jane Fonda]] in ''[[Rollover (film)|Rollover]]'', directed by [[Alan J. Pakula]]. In 1986, he starred in ''[[The Last Days of Frank and Jesse James]]'' with Johnny Cash and [[Flashpoint (1984 film)|''Flashpoint'']] in 1984, directed by William Tannen. This was followed, in 1985, by the [[neo-noir]] thriller ''[[Trouble in Mind (film)|Trouble In Mind]]'' co-starring [[Keith Carradine]] and [[Lori Singer]]. In 1987, Kristofferson starred in the seven-episode TV series ''[[Amerika (TV miniseries)|Amerika]]'' with [[Robert Urich]] and [[Christine Lahti]]. In 1989, he was the male lead in the film ''[[Millennium (film)|Millennium]]'' with [[Cheryl Ladd]]. In 1996, he earned a supporting role as Charlie Wade, a corrupt [[South Texas]] sheriff in John Sayles's ''[[Lone Star (1996 film)|Lone Star]]'', a film nominated for an Oscar for Best Screenplay. In 1997, he co-starred in the film ''[[Fire Down Below (1997 film)|Fire Down Below]]'' with [[Steven Seagal]].{{citation needed|date=September 2024}} In 1998, Kristofferson took a role in the film ''[[Blade (1998 film)|Blade]]'', alongside [[Wesley Snipes]], as [[Blade (comics)|Blade]]'s mentor [[Abraham Whistler]]. He reprised the role in ''[[Blade II]]'' (2002) and again in ''[[Blade: Trinity]]'' (2004). In 1998 he starred in ''[[Dance with Me (1998 film)|Dance with Me]]'' along with [[Vanessa Williams]] and [[Chayanne]]. In 1999, he co-starred with Mel Gibson in ''[[Payback (1999 film)|Payback]]''. He was then in the 2001 Tim Burton version of ''[[Planet of the Apes (2001 film)|Planet of the Apes]]''. He has also played the title character "Yohan" as an old man in the Norwegian film ''Yohan—the Children Wanderer''. He co-starred in the 2011 film ''[[Dolphin Tale]]'' and its 2014 sequel, ''[[Dolphin Tale 2]]''. In 2012, Kristofferson was in ''[[Joyful Noise (film)|Joyful Noise]]'' with longtime friend [[Dolly Parton]]. In 2013, Kristofferson co-starred in ''[[The Motel Life (film)|The Motel Life]]'', as well as ''[[Angels Sing]]'' with [[Willie Nelson]] and [[Lyle Lovett]]. In 2006, Kristofferson starred with [[Geneviève Bujold]] in the film ''[[Disappearances (film)|Disappearances]]'' about whiskey running from Quebec to the US during the [[Great Depression]].{{citation needed|date=September 2024}} === Mid-career === After his singing success in the early 1970s, Kristofferson met singer Rita Coolidge. They married in 1973 and released an album titled ''[[Full Moon (Kris Kristofferson album)|Full Moon]]'', another success buoyed by numerous hit singles and Grammy nominations. His fifth album, ''[[Spooky Lady's Sideshow]]'', released in 1974, was a commercial failure, setting the trend for most of the rest of his musical career. Artists such as [[Ronnie Milsap]] and [[John Duncan (artist)|Johnny Duncan]] continued to record Kristofferson's material with success, but his distinctively rough voice and anti-pop sound kept his own audience to a minimum. Meanwhile, more artists took his songs to the top of the charts, including [[Willie Nelson]], whose 1979 LP release of ''[[Sings Kristofferson|(Willie Nelson) Sings Kristofferson]]'' reached number five on the U.S. Country Music chart and certified Platinum in the U.S.{{citation needed|date=September 2024}} In 1979, Kristofferson traveled to [[Havana]], Cuba, to participate in the historic [[Havana Jam]] festival that took place on March 2–4, alongside Rita Coolidge, [[Stephen Stills]], the CBS Jazz All-Stars, the [[Trio of Doom]], [[Fania All-Stars]], [[Billy Swan]], [[Bonnie Bramlett]], [[Mike Finnigan]], [[Weather Report]], and [[Billy Joel]], plus an array of Cuban artists such as [[Irakere]], [[Pacho Alonso]], [[Tata Güines]], and [[Orquesta Aragón]]. His performance is captured on Ernesto Juan Castellanos's documentary ''Havana Jam '79''.{{citation needed|date=September 2024}} On November 18, 1979, Kristofferson and Coolidge appeared on ''[[The Muppet Show]]'', where Kristofferson sang "[[Help Me Make It Through the Night]]" with [[Miss Piggy]], Coolidge sang "[[We're All Alone]]" with forest animals, and the pair sang "[[Full Moon (Kris Kristofferson album)|Song I'd Like to Sing]]" with the Muppet monsters. They divorced in 1980.{{citation needed|date=September 2024}} ===Later years=== In 1982, Kristofferson joined [[Willie Nelson]], [[Dolly Parton]], and [[Brenda Lee]] on ''[[The Winning Hand]]'', a double album consisting of remastered and updated performances of recordings the four artists had made for the Monument label during the mid-1960s; the album reached the top ten on the U.S. country album charts. He married again, to Lisa Meyers, and concentrated on films for a time, appearing in the 1984 releases ''[[The Lost Honor of Kathryn Beck]]'', ''[[Flashpoint (1984 film)|Flashpoint]]'' and ''[[Songwriter (1984 film)|Songwriter]]''. Nelson and Kristofferson both appeared in ''Songwriter'', and Kristofferson was nominated for an [[Academy Award for Best Original Song Score]]. The album ''[[Music from Songwriter]]'', featuring Nelson-Kristofferson duets, was a massive country success.{{citation needed|date=September 2024}} Nelson and Kristofferson continued their partnership, and added [[Waylon Jennings]] and [[Johnny Cash]] to form the [[supergroup (music)|supergroup]] [[The Highwaymen (country supergroup)|the Highwaymen]]. Their first album, ''[[Highwayman (The Highwaymen album)|Highwayman]]'', was a success, and the supergroup continued working together for a time. The single from the album, also entitled "[[Highwayman (song)|Highwayman]]", written by [[Jimmy Webb]] (and originally recorded by him in 1977), was awarded the ACM's single of the year in 1985.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20031224171729/http://www.cmt.com/artists/az/kristofferson_kris/bio.jhtml "Kris Kristofferson Biography"] "[[Country Music Television|CMT]]" 2004.</ref> In 1985, Kristofferson starred in ''[[Trouble in Mind (film)|Trouble in Mind]]'' and released ''[[Repossessed (album)|Repossessed]]'', a politically aware album that was a country success, particularly "They Killed Him" (also performed by [[Bob Dylan]]), a tribute to his heroes, including [[Martin Luther King Jr.]], Jesus, and [[Mahatma Gandhi]]. Kristofferson also appeared in ''[[Amerika (miniseries)|Amerika]]'' at about the same time, a miniseries that attempted to depict life in America under [[Soviet]] control.{{citation needed|date=September 2024}} [[File:Kris Kristofferson SXSW 2006 crop.jpg|thumb|right|Kristofferson at the 2006 [[South by Southwest]] Festival]] In spite of the success of ''[[Highwayman 2]]'' in 1990, Kristofferson's solo recording career slipped significantly in the early 1990s, though he continued to record successfully with the Highwaymen. ''[[Lone Star (1996 film)|Lone Star]]'' (1996 film by [[John Sayles]]) reinvigorated Kristofferson's acting career, and he soon appeared in ''[[Blade (1998 film)|Blade]]'', ''[[Blade II]]'', ''[[Blade: Trinity]]'', ''[[A Soldier's Daughter Never Cries (film)|A Soldier's Daughter Never Cries]]'', ''[[Fire Down Below (1997 film)|Fire Down Below]]'', [[Tim Burton]]'s remake of ''[[Planet of the Apes (2001 film)|Planet of the Apes]]'', ''[[Chelsea Walls]]'', ''[[Payback (1999 film)|Payback]]'', ''[[The Jacket]]'', and ''[[Fast Food Nation (film)|Fast Food Nation]]''.{{citation needed|date=September 2024}} The [[Songwriters Hall of Fame]] inducted Kristofferson in 1985, as had the [[Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame]] earlier, in 1977. In 1999, ''[[The Austin Sessions (Kris Kristofferson album)|The Austin Sessions]]'', was released, an album on which Kristofferson reworked some of his favorite songs with the help of artists such as [[Mark Knopfler]], [[Steve Earle]], and [[Jackson Browne]]. Shortly after the album's release, he underwent [[coronary bypass surgery]].<ref name="rollingstone.com"/> In 2003, ''[[Broken Freedom Song: Live from San Francisco|Broken Freedom Song]]'' was released, a live album recorded in San Francisco. That year, he received the "Spirit of Americana" free speech award from the [[Americana Music Association]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bmi.com/news/entry/20031009_americana_awards_honor_kristofferson_douglas_prine_and_phillips|title=Americana Awards Honor Kristofferson, Douglas, Prine and Phillips|date=October 8, 2003|website=BMI|access-date=April 4, 2017}}</ref> In 2004, he was inducted into the [[Country Music Hall of Fame]]. On October 21, 2005, the movie ''[[Dreamer (2005 film)|Dreamer]]'' was released, in which Kristofferson played the role of "Pop", a retired thoroughbred horse trainer. The movie was inspired by the true story of the mare Mariah's Storm who won the Turfway Breeders Cup Classic. 2006, he received the Johnny Mercer Award from the [[Songwriters Hall of Fame]] and released his first album full of new material in 11 years; ''[[This Old Road]]''. On April 21, 2007, Kristofferson won [[Country Music Television|CMT]]'s Johnny Cash Visionary Award. [[Rosanne Cash]], Cash's daughter, presented the honor during the April 16 awards show in Nashville. Previous recipients include Cash, [[Hank Williams, Jr.]], [[Loretta Lynn]], [[Reba McEntire]], and the [[Dixie Chicks]]. "John was my hero before he was my friend, and anything with his name on it is really an honor in my eyes," Kristofferson said during a phone interview. "I was thinking back to when I first met him, and if I ever thought that I'd be getting an award with his name on it, it would have carried me through a lot of hard times."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/12/AR2007031200851.html|title=Kris Kristofferson to Receive CMT Award|first=JOHN|last=GEROME|date=March 12, 2007|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=September 2, 2017|archive-date=April 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428093413/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/12/AR2007031200851.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In July 2007, Kristofferson was featured on CMT's ''Studio 330 Sessions'' where he played many of his hits.{{citation needed|date=September 2024}} On June 13, 2008, Kristofferson performed an acoustic in-the-round set with [[Patty Griffin]] and [[Randy Owen]] ([[Alabama (band)|Alabama]]) for a special taping of a [[Public Broadcasting Service|PBS]] songwriters series aired in December. Each performer played five songs. Kristofferson's set included "The Best of All Possible Worlds", "Darby's Castle", "Casey's Last Ride", "Me and Bobby McGee", and "Here Comes that Rainbow Again". Taping was done in Nashville.{{citation needed|date=September 2024}} Kristofferson released a new album of original songs entitled ''[[Closer to the Bone]]'' on September 28, 2009. It is produced by [[Don Was]] on the [[New West]] label. Prior to the release, Kristofferson remarked: "I like the intimacy of the new album. It has a general mood of reflecting on where we all are at this time of life."<ref name="Kris Kristofferson">{{cite web|url=http://www.newwestrecords.com/KrisKristofferson|title=Kris Kristofferson|publisher=newwestrecords.com|access-date=August 26, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090215002823/http://newwestrecords.com/KrisKristofferson|archive-date=February 15, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> On November 10, 2009, Kristofferson was honored as a [[Broadcast Music Incorporated|BMI]] Icon at the 57th annual BMI Country Awards. Throughout his career, Kristofferson's songwriting has garnered 48 BMI Country and Pop Awards.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/538885 |title=Kris Kristofferson to be Honored as Icon at 57th Annual BMI Country Awards|date=June 30, 2009|publisher=bmi.com|access-date=September 15, 2010}}</ref> He later remarked, "The great thing about being a songwriter is you can hear your baby interpreted by so many people that have creative talents vocally that I don't have."<ref name=cnnnov112009>{{Cite book|title='I never doubted once', country icon says|date=November 11, 2009|publisher=CNN|url=http://marquee.blogs.cnn.com/2009/11/11/i-never-doubted-once-country-icon-says/|access-date=November 12, 2009|archive-date=November 13, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091113203801/http://marquee.blogs.cnn.com/2009/11/11/i-never-doubted-once-country-icon-says/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Kristofferson had always denied having a good voice, and had said that as he had aged, any quality it once had was beginning to decay.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/kris-kristofferson-on-being-an-aging-heartthrob-singer-and-actor/2014/02/03/603b4f0c-882d-11e3-a5bd-844629433ba3_story.html|title=Kris Kristofferson on being an aging heartthrob, singer and actor|newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref> [[File:Kris Kristofferson, 2014.jpg|left|alt=Kristofferson sitting|thumb|Kristofferson speaking at the 2014 PEN New England Song Lyrics Award ceremony held in Boston's [[John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum]]]] In December 2009, it was announced that Kristofferson would be portraying Joe on the upcoming album ''[[Ghost Brothers of Darkland County]]'', a collaboration between rock singer [[John Mellencamp]] and novelist [[Stephen King]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mellencamp.com/?module=news&news_item_id=527 |title=John Mellencamp Official Site &#124; A Year-End Conversation with John |publisher=Mellencamp.com |date=December 15, 2009 |access-date=April 10, 2010 |archive-date=July 22, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722083457/http://www.mellencamp.com/?module=news&news_item_id=527 |url-status=live }}</ref> On May 11, 2010, [[Light in the Attic Records]] released demos that were recorded during Kristofferson's janitorial stint at Columbia. ''[[Please Don't Tell Me How the Story Ends: The Publishing Demos]]'' is the first time these recordings have been released and includes material that would later be featured on other Kristofferson recordings and on the recordings of other prominent artists, such as the original recording of "Me and Bobby McGee".{{citation needed|date=September 2024}} On June 4, 2011, Kristofferson performed a solo acoustic show at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center, showcasing both some of his original hits made famous by other artists, and newer songs.{{citation needed|date=September 2024}} In early 2013, Kristofferson released a new album of original songs called ''Feeling Mortal''. A live album titled ''An Evening With Kris Kristofferson'' was released in September 2014.{{citation needed|date=September 2024}} Kristofferson voiced the character Chief Hanlon of the NCR Rangers in the hit 2010 video game ''[[Fallout: New Vegas]]''.{{citation needed|date=September 2024}} In an interview for ''Las Vegas'' magazine Q&A by Matt Kelemen on October 23, 2015, he revealed that a new album, ''The Cedar Creek Sessions'', recorded in Austin, would include some old and some new songs.<ref>{{cite web|title = Q&A: Kris Kristofferson|work=Las Vegas Magazine|url = http://lasvegasmagazine.com/interviews/qa/2015/oct/23/q-a-kris-kristofferson-pearl-palms/#/0|access-date = October 25, 2015}}</ref> In December 2016, the album was nominated for a [[Grammy Award for Best Americana Album]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/la-et-ms-grammys-2017-nominations-winners-list-20161205-story.html |title=2017 Grammy Awards: Complete list of nominees |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=December 6, 2016 |access-date=December 6, 2016 |archive-date=January 14, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170114165448/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/la-et-ms-grammys-2017-nominations-winners-list-20161205-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Kristofferson covered [[Brandi Carlile]]'s "Turpentine" on the 2017 album ''[[Cover Stories]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Cover Stories: Brandi Carlile Celebrates 10 Years of the Story (An Album to Benefit War Child) by Various Artists|website=[[iTunes]]|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/cover-stories-brandi-carlile-celebrates-10-years-story/1224696443|access-date=January 15, 2019}}</ref> [[File:2018 Kris Kristofferson - by 2eight - DSC5043 cropped.jpg|right|thumb|Kristofferson in 2018]] Kristofferson performed, with assistance from Carlile, the [[Joni Mitchell]] composition "[[A Case of You (song)|A Case of You]]", from the 1971 Mitchell album ''[[Blue (Joni Mitchell album)|Blue]]'', on November 7, 2018, at the ''Both Sides Now - Joni 75 A Birthday Celebration'' to celebrate the 75th birthday of Mitchell.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://buffalonews.com/2019/04/04/jeff-simon-an-all-star-birthday-party-for-joni-mitchell-and-others/|title=Column: Jeff Simon: An all-star birthday party for Joni Mitchell and others|work=Buffalo News|date=April 4, 2019|access-date=April 5, 2019|archive-date=April 4, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404231053/https://buffalonews.com/2019/04/04/jeff-simon-an-all-star-birthday-party-for-joni-mitchell-and-others/|url-status=live}}</ref> In June 2019, Kristofferson was announced as being one of the supporting artists for a Barbra Streisand "exclusive European concert" on July 7 in London's Hyde Park as part of the Barclay's Summertime Concert series.<ref>{{cite web |title=British Summertime Festival: Only Barbara Streisand could sing Silent Night in mid-Summer |url=https://www.kcwlondon.co.uk/2019/07/british-summertime-festival-barbara-streisand-sing-silent-night-mid-summer/ |website=kcwlondon.co.uk |publisher=KCW Today |access-date=October 21, 2021 |archive-date=October 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023093237/https://www.kcwlondon.co.uk/2019/07/british-summertime-festival-barbara-streisand-sing-silent-night-mid-summer/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> In January 2021, Kristofferson announced his retirement.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2021/music/news/kris-kristofferson-retirement-confirmed-1234894777/ |title=Kris Kristofferson Camp Confirms He Has Retired: 'It Just Felt Very Organic' |date=January 28, 2021 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref> His final concert was held in [[Fort Pierce]], Florida, at the [[Sunrise Theatre]] on February 5, 2020, accompanied by [[The Strangers (American band)|the Strangers]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sunrise Theatre |url=https://www.sunrisetheatre.com/event/kris-kristofferson-strangers-tour/ |access-date=April 3, 2022 |website=www.sunrisetheatre.com |archive-date=April 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220410043059/https://www.sunrisetheatre.com/event/kris-kristofferson-strangers-tour/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> == Personal life and death == In 1961, Kristofferson married his longtime girlfriend, Frances "Fran" Mavia Beer, eventually divorcing.<ref name="MCreg"/><ref name=":1">{{cite web|last=Campbell|first=Courtney|date=August 30, 2020|title=Kris Kristofferson + Lisa Meyers: Inside Their 37-Year Love Story|url=https://www.wideopencountry.com/lisa-meyers-kris-kristofferson/|access-date=December 27, 2020|website=Wide Open Country}}</ref> Kristofferson briefly dated [[Janis Joplin]] before her death in October 1970.<ref name=":1"/> His second marriage was to singer [[Rita Coolidge]] in 1973, ending in divorce by 1980.<ref name=":0"/><ref name=":1"/> Kristofferson married Lisa Meyers in 1983.<ref name=":1"/> Kristofferson and Meyers owned a home in Los Flores Canyon in [[Malibu, California]],<ref name="rollingstone.com">{{cite magazine |last=Strauss |first=Neil |date=June 6, 2016 |title=Kris Kristofferson: An Outlaw at 80 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/kris-kristofferson-an-outlaw-at-80-20160606 |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=February 10, 2019 |archive-date=June 22, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180622192919/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/kris-kristofferson-an-outlaw-at-80-20160606 |url-status=live }}</ref> and maintained a residence in [[Hana, Hawaii|Hana]] on the island of Maui.<ref name=":1"/> Kristofferson had eight children from his three marriages: two from his first marriage to Fran Beer; one from his second marriage to Rita Coolidge and five from his marriage to his third wife, Lisa (née Meyers) Kristofferson.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/person/105678%7C0/Kris-Kristofferson/family.html |title=Family for Kris Kristofferson |website=Tcm.com |date=June 22, 1936 |access-date=February 10, 2019}}</ref> Kristofferson said that he would like the first three lines of [[Leonard Cohen]]'s "[[Bird on the Wire]]" on his tombstone:<ref>{{cite web|last=Schneider |first=Jason |url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/kris_kristofferson-_pilgrims_progress |title=Kris Kristofferson The Pilgrim's Progress |website=Exclaim.ca |access-date=February 10, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |last=Cohen |first=Leonard |title=Greatest hits |date= |url=http://worldcat.org/oclc/863239766 |at=CD booklet, p. 4 |publisher=Sony Music Entertainment Inc |oclc=863239766 |access-date=February 12, 2023}}</ref> <blockquote> Like a bird on the wire<br /> Like a drunk in a midnight choir<br /> I have tried in my way to be free </blockquote> Kristofferson died at his home in [[Maui|Maui, Hawaii]], on September 28, 2024. He was 88.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2024/music/obituaries-people-news/kris-kristofferson-dead-country-music-legend-actor-1236159472/|title=Kris Kristofferson, Country Music Legend and 'A Star Is Born' Leading Man, Dies at 88|first=Chris|last=Morris|date=September 29, 2024|access-date=September 29, 2024|work=Variety}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjwd69n7xxgo|title=US country music star Kris Kristofferson dies, aged 88|publisher=Variety|access-date=September 30, 2024|archive-date=September 30, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240930022619/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjwd69n7xxgo|url-status=live}}</ref> ==Awards and nominations== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year ! Association ! Category ! Nominated work ! Result |- | 1970 | rowspan=3| [[Country Music Association Awards]] | rowspan=2|[[Country Music Association Award for Song of the Year|Song of the Year]] | "[[Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down]]" | {{won}} |- | rowspan=4| 1973 | rowspan=3| "[[Why Me (Kris Kristofferson song)|Why Me]]" | {{nom}} |- | [[Country Music Association Award for Single of the Year|Single of the Year]] | {{nom}} |- | [[Academy of Country Music Awards]] | Song of the Year | {{nom}} |- | [[BAFTA Awards]] | [[BAFTA Award for Best Newcomer|Best Newcomer]] | ''[[Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid]]'' |{{nom}} |- | 1974 | [[Academy of Country Music Awards]] | Song of the Year | "[[One Day at a Time (song)|One Day at a Time]]" | {{nom}} |- | 1976 | [[Golden Globe Awards]] |[[Golden Globe Award for Best Actor - Motion Picture Musical or Comedy|Best Actor in a Musical]] | ''[[A Star Is Born (1976 film)|A Star Is Born]]'' |{{won}} |- | 1984 | [[Academy Awards]] | [[Academy Award for Best Original Score|Best Original Score]] | ''[[Songwriter (1984 film)|Songwriter]]'' |{{nom}} |- | rowspan=5| 1985 | rowspan=2| [[Country Music Association Awards]] | [[Country Music Association Award for Single of the Year|Single of the Year]] | rowspan="5" | "[[Highwayman (song)|Highwayman]]" | {{nom}} |- | [[Country Music Association Award for Video of the Year|Video of the Year]] | {{nom}} |- | rowspan=3| [[Academy of Country Music Awards]] | Single of the Year | {{won}} |- | Video of the Year | {{nom}} |- | Album of the Year | {{nom}} |- | 2003 | [[Americana Music Honors & Awards]] | Free Speech Award | rowspan=3| Himself | {{won}} |- | 2005 | rowspan=2| [[Academy of Country Music Awards]] | Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award | {{won}} |- | 2013 | Poets Award | {{won}} |- | 2019 | [[53rd Annual Country Music Association Awards|Country Music Association Awards]] | [[Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award|Lifetime Achievement Award]] | Himself | {{won}} |} === Grammy Awards === Kristofferson has won three competitive Grammys from thirteen nominations. He received the [[Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award|Lifetime Achievement Award]] in 2014.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/kris-kristofferson/9938|title=Kris Kristofferson|date=November 19, 2019|website=GRAMMY.com|access-date=September 26, 2020|archive-date=September 30, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240930022729/https://www.grammy.com/|url-status=live}}</ref> {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year ! Category ! Nominated work ! Result |- | rowspan=5| [[14th Annual Grammy Awards|1971]] | rowspan=2| [[Grammy Award for Song of the Year|Song of the Year]] | "[[Me and Bobby McGee]]" | {{nom}} |- | rowspan=2| "[[Help Me Make It Through the Night]]" | {{nom}} |- | rowspan=4| [[Grammy Award for Best Country Song|Best Country Song]] | {{won}} |- | "Me and Bobby McGee" | {{nom}} |- | "[[For the Good Times (song)|For the Good Times]]" | {{nom}} |- | rowspan=3| [[16th Annual Grammy Awards|1973]] | rowspan=2| "[[Why Me (Kris Kristofferson song)|Why Me]]" | {{nom}} |- | [[Grammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance|Best Male Country Vocal Performance]] | {{nom}} |- | rowspan=4| [[Grammy Award for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal|Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group]] | "From The Bottle To The Bottom" <small>(with [[Rita Coolidge]])</small> | {{won}} |- | [[17th Grammy Awards|1974]] | "[[Loving Arms]]" <small>(with [[Rita Coolidge]])</small> | {{nom}} |- | [[18th Grammy Awards|1975]] | "[[Lover Please]]" <small>(with [[Rita Coolidge]])</small> | {{won}} |- | [[28th Grammy Awards|1985]] | "[[Highwayman (song)|Highwayman]]" <small>(with [[The Highwaymen (country supergroup)|the Highwaymen]])</small> | {{nom}} |- | [[33rd Grammy Awards|1990]] | [[Grammy Award for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals]] | ''[[Highwayman 2]]'' | {{nom}} |- | [[57th Grammy Awards|2014]] | [[Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award]] | Himself | {{won}} |- | [[59th Grammy Awards|2016]] | [[Grammy Award for Best Americana Album|Best Americana Album]] | ''The Cedar Creek Sessions'' | {{nom}} |} ==Discography== {{Main|Kris Kristofferson discography}} ;Studio albums {{div col}} * ''[[Kristofferson (album)|Kristofferson]]'' (1970) * ''[[The Silver Tongued Devil and I]]'' (1971) * ''[[Border Lord]]'' (1972) * ''[[Jesus Was a Capricorn]]'' (1972) * ''[[Full Moon (Kris Kristofferson and Rita Coolidge album)|Full Moon]]'' <small>(with [[Rita Coolidge]])</small> (1973) * ''[[Spooky Lady's Sideshow]]'' (1974) * ''[[Breakaway (Kris Kristofferson and Rita Coolidge album)|Breakaway]]'' <small>(with Rita Coolidge)</small> (1974) * ''[[Who's to Bless and Who's to Blame]]'' (1975) * ''[[Surreal Thing]]'' (1976) * ''[[Easter Island (album)|Easter Island]]'' (1978) * ''[[Natural Act]]'' <small>(with Rita Coolidge)</small> (1978) * ''[[Shake Hands with the Devil (album)|Shake Hands with the Devil]]'' (1979) * ''[[To the Bone (Kris Kristofferson album)|To the Bone]]'' (1981) * ''[[Repossessed (album)|Repossessed]]'' (1986) * ''[[Third World Warrior]]'' (1990) * ''[[A Moment of Forever]]'' (1995) * ''[[The Austin Sessions (Kris Kristofferson album)|The Austin Sessions]]'' (1999) * ''[[This Old Road]]'' (2006) * ''[[Closer to the Bone]]'' (2009) * ''Feeling Mortal'' (2013) * ''[[The Cedar Creek Sessions]]'' (2016) {{div col end}} ==Filmography== {{main|Kris Kristofferson filmography}} ==References== {{reflist}} ==Further reading== * Bernhardt, Jack. (1998). "Kris Kristofferson". In ''The Encyclopedia of Country Music''. Paul Kingsbury, Editor. New York: Oxford University Press. pp.&nbsp;286–7. ==External links== {{wikiquote}} {{commons}} * {{official}} * [http://www.kriskristoffersonfan.com/index.php/latest-news/ Kristofferson Fan Website] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20070209135841/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0%2C9171%2C810914-1%2C00.html The Old Oxonion Blues] 1959 profile in ''Time'' * [https://web.archive.org/web/20060818061140/http://www.countrymusichalloffame.com/site/inductees.aspx?cid=136 Kristofferson] at the [[Country Music Hall of Fame]] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20060705100247/http://www.newwestrecords.com/kris.php Kris Kristofferson] at [[New West Records]] * {{AllMusic}} * {{Discogs artist}} * {{iMDb name}} * {{tcmdb name}} * {{amg name}} * [http://www.bmi.com/affiliate/C453/ Kris Kristofferson] at [[Broadcast Music, Inc.]] *[https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/kris-kristofferson-songwriter/pl.u-yZyV8a3FYBXA1J Kris Kristofferson Playlist - Apple Music] {{S-start}} {{s-ach|aw}} {{s-bef|before=[[Johnny Cash]]}} {{s-ttl|title=[[First Amendment Center]]/[[Americana Music Association|AMA "Spirit of Americana" Free Speech Award]]|years=2003}} {{s-aft|after=[[Steve Earle]]}} {{S-end}} {{Kris Kristofferson}} {{Navboxes |title = Awards for Kris Kristofferson |list1 = {{CMA for Song of the Year}} {{2000s Country Music Hall of Fame}} {{GoldenGlobeAwardBestActorMotionPictureMusicalComedy 1961-1980}} {{Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award}} {{CMA Lifetime Achievement}} }} {{Highwaymen}} {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Kristofferson, Kris}} [[Category:1936 births]] [[Category:2024 deaths]] [[Category:20th-century American guitarists]] [[Category:20th-century American male actors]] [[Category:20th-century American male musicians]] [[Category:21st-century American male actors]] [[Category:Alumni of Merton College, Oxford]] [[Category:American acoustic guitarists]] [[Category:American aviators]] [[Category:American country guitarists]] [[Category:American country singer-songwriters]] [[Category:American folk guitarists]] [[Category:American male film actors]] [[Category:American male guitarists]] [[Category:American male singer-songwriters]] [[Category:American people of Swedish descent]] [[Category:American Rhodes Scholars]] [[Category:American rock guitarists]] [[Category:Best Musical or Comedy Actor Golden Globe (film) winners]] [[Category:Columbia Records artists]] [[Category:Country Music Hall of Fame inductees]] [[Category:Country musicians from Texas]] [[Category:Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winners]] [[Category:Guitarists from Texas]] [[Category:Light in the Attic Records artists]] [[Category:Male actors from Texas]] [[Category:Members of the Country Music Association]] [[Category:Mercury Records artists]] [[Category:Military personnel from Texas]] [[Category:Monument Records artists]] [[Category:New West Records artists]] [[Category:Outlaw country singers]] [[Category:People from Brownsville, Texas]] [[Category:Players of American football from Cameron County, Texas]] [[Category:Pomona College alumni]] [[Category:Pomona-Pitzer Sagehens football players]] [[Category:Progressive country musicians]] [[Category:San Mateo High School alumni]] [[Category:Singer-songwriters from Texas]] [[Category:Texas Democrats]] [[Category:The Highwaymen (country supergroup) members]] [[Category:United States Army aviators]] [[Category:United States Army officers]] [[Category:Warner Records artists]]'