Yahoo Lifestyle Celebrities, Fans Offer Emotional Tributes To 'Absolute Genius' Kris Kristofferson
Fans and celebrities alike are paying tribute to Kris Kristofferson, the American music legend and movie star who died on Saturday at the age of 88.
Kristofferson’s life story is so improbable that it seems almost impossible: He was both a Rhodes scholar and Golden Gloves boxer who quit a promising career in the military to become in janitor in Nashville, where he hoped to get a shot at making music.
He would become known as a master songwriter and one of the founding figures of the “outlaw country” movement ― and if that weren’t enough, he was a magnetic performer on the big screen, winning a Golden Globe for his role in the 1976 version of “A Star Is Born.”
Kristofferson’s friends, fans, costars and fellow musicians sent their condolences, shared their memories and posted clips of their favorite moments:
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… pic.twitter.com/WDdU2zoUwD— Barbra Streisand (@BarbraStreisand) September 30, 2024
#KrisKristofferson
What a great loss
What a great writer
What a great actor
What a great friend
I will always love you, Dolly pic.twitter.com/AzbCvBlJiz— Dolly Parton (@DollyParton) September 30, 2024
Kris Kristofferson sings "The Pilgrim, Chapter 33" to Harry Dean Stanton.
The lyrics to this song resonate and hold a mirror up to all of us who are walking contradictions that are partly true and partly fiction.
What an absolute genius Kristofferson was. pic.twitter.com/U5HsCk5sGV— Will McCrabb (@mccrabb_will) September 29, 2024
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. pic.twitter.com/Qeqs44e4KZ
— Reba McEntire (@reba) September 30, 2024
an epic human with the biggest heart ♥️ you will be so, so missed. rest easy, my friend. #kriskristoffersonpic.twitter.com/VUcUz3KFta
— leann rimes cibrian (@leannrimes) September 29, 2024
Loved this man, his talent, his mind and his beautiful heart.
Journey well, my friend.#KrisKristoffersonpic.twitter.com/DBypO6hKrj— Melissa Etheridge (@metheridge) September 29, 2024
Kris Kristofferson.
What a life he led.
Good company.
Great man.
See you down the road old mate.— Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) September 30, 2024
Going back to the beginnings of Twitter, people have discovered beautiful things that Kris Kristofferson had done: PeeWee Herman & Blade movies, standing up for Sinead, Heaven's Gate, etc. But he also wrote the greatest hymn of the 20th Century. pic.twitter.com/iEuxASPG9h
— Ken Layne (@KenLayne) September 30, 2024
RIP Kris Kristofferson. You were one of the greatest. pic.twitter.com/Z1fGaL2Kcn
— Chad Prather (@WatchChad) September 29, 2024
Here’s Kris Kristofferson talking about a Bob Dylan tribute concert at MSG in 1992 where Sinéad O’Connor was getting booed after ripping up a photo of the Pope on SNL and he was asked to get her off the stage.
He refused.
“Don’t let the bastards get you down.”
RIP to an icon pic.twitter.com/57hkHte6EM— Mike Beauvais (@MikeBeauvais) September 29, 2024
RIP Kris Kristofferson(1936-2024)
Watch Kristofferson and Miss Piggy get down and dirty singing 'Help Me Make It Through The Night' on episode 301 of 'The Muppet Show'. pic.twitter.com/M91QH6d3Or— James Hancock (@colebrax) September 30, 2024
Just in case you weren’t familiar with the quality of Kris Kristofferson’s character, here’s an interview from 1991 of him alongside Weylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, and Willie Nelson where they speak about the problems in America. RIP to a real legend. https://t.co/DKNuBlGARnpic.twitter.com/CbHGtEo00p
— Guido Anchovy 🏳️🌈🇵🇸 (@L0ngTermParking) September 29, 2024
Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson perform
"Sunday Morning Coming Down" in 1978.
Written by KK.
RIP Kris Kristofferson
1936-2024
Thanks @western_bester 🙏🏻
pic.twitter.com/7HtKWyXCTa— La femme merveilleuse invisible (@larwoolf) September 29, 2024
Kris Kristofferson in PAT GARRETT AND BILLY THE KID, just perfect. pic.twitter.com/FCJfkBX3sx
— Steven Hyden (@Steven_Hyden) September 30, 2024
Kris Kristofferson told a great story on Rosie’s show (in ‘98) about how Rex Reed hated him in A STAR IS BORN and, to get back at him, a fan would call Reed’s home at 4am playing “Watch Closely Now” from the soundtrack. #RIPKrisKristoffersonpic.twitter.com/0sMNoKFQnv
— Courtney Howard (@Lulamaybelle) September 29, 2024
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. pic.twitter.com/9ahARfnNLD
— Travis Tritt (@TravisTritt) September 29, 2024
RIP Kris Kristofferson (1936-2024)
Watch Kristofferson and Isabelle Huppert make some movie magic in Michael Cimino's 'Heaven's Gate' (1980). pic.twitter.com/M1F0kqtgdP— James Hancock (@colebrax) September 30, 2024
Barbra Streisand. Kris Kristofferson (🕊️).
A Star Is Born pic.twitter.com/JdooPdaua7— Jermaine Watkins (@JermaineWatkins) September 30, 2024
Kris Kristofferson wasn't just a country music icon, he was a Hollywood legend. From A Star Is Born to Blade to Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore and Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid , he gave us characters that will stand the test of time. pic.twitter.com/GeZageyEmQ
— Eric Alper 🎧 (@ThatEricAlper) September 29, 2024
Kris Kristofferson - Me And Bobby McGee (1979) pic.twitter.com/WGv1ifXwCA
— 🌻Justice⚖Now 🌟🇺🇸 (@ChrisJustice01) September 30, 2024
Farewell to Kris Kristofferson and thanks for the good times. pic.twitter.com/chJFdkfmZ2
— Will McKinley (@willmckinley) September 29, 2024
