Kris Kristofferson's Life in Photos

The award-winning musician and actor died on Sept. 28, 2024 at the age of 88

Kris Kristofferson was a legend in country music, Hollywood and beyond.

The star, who died on Sept. 28, 2024 at the age of 88, first began his music career in the 1970s and collaborated with iconic stars like Janis Joplin, Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson throughout his decades-long career. He landed his big break on screen opposite Barbra Streisand in 1976's A Star is Born.

In addition to his professional accolades and accomplishments, Kristofferson was a family man — becoming a dad to eight kids and sharing a more than 40 year marriage with his wife, Lisa.

From his early beginnings to his lasting legacy, take a look back at Kristofferson's life and career in photos.

Kris Kristofferson's Early Days

Kristofferson was born on June 22, 1936, in Brownsville, Texas. The future country legend grew up a military brat as his father, Lars Henry Kristofferson, was a U.S. Army Air Corps officer and Air Force general.

Kris himself would join the U.S. Army after completing higher education which included earning his bachelor's degree at Pomona College and later receiving his master's in English literature at Oxford University's Merton College as a Rhodes Scholar.

His love of music was evident from a very young age; he wrote his first song at age 11 and formed a band with fellow soldiers while serving in West Germany.

Kris Kristofferson in Nashville

Kristofferson found his way to Nashville, Tennessee in the 1960s following his time in Europe. His love of music was reinvigorated and in 1965, he decided to resign from the Army.

"... it was definitely the best move I've ever made," he told Clash in 2010.

While working nights as a janitor in Columbia studios, Kristofferson submitted songs he wrote including "For the Good Times" and "Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down." The former would go on to earn a Grammy nomination for best country song in 1972.

Kristofferson released his debut album in April 1970.

Kris Kristofferson and Johnny Cash

Kristofferson and Johnny Cash's relationship went way back. Cash's rendition of Kristofferson's song "Sunday Mornin' Coming' Down" for The Johnny Cash Show live album won song of the year at the CMA Awards in 1970 as well as hit No. 1 on Billboard’s country music chart.

Kris Kristofferson and Janis Joplin

Another famous collaborator in Kristofferson's life was Janis Joplin. One of their biggest hits, "Me and Bobby McGee", was featured on Joplin's 1971 posthumous album, Pearl and earned two Grammy nominations.

Kris Kristofferson Goes Hollywood

In addition to his expansive work as a musician, Kristofferson had a sucessful career as an actor with his first film credit coming in 1971. He starred in Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore (pictured above) in 1974.

Other famous roles included Whistler in the Blade series and of course, A Star is Born.

Kris Kristofferson in 'A Star is Born'

Kristofferson's big Hollywood break came in the 1976 remake of A Star Is Born with Barbra Streisand. His portrayal of John Norman Howard earned him a Golden Globe for best actor in 1977.

Kris Kristofferson and The Highway Men

Along with his solo career as a musician and actor, Kristofferson was a part of country supergroup The Highwaymen with Cash, Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson.

Kris Kristofferson at the Grammys

Kristofferson won his first of three Grammys in 1972 for the song "Help Me Make It Through the Night." Over the course of his career, he was nominated for a total of 13 golden gramophones.

Kris Kristofferson and his Wife, Lisa

Kristofferson wed his wife, Lisa Kristofferson (née Meyers), in 1983.

He was married twice before his decades-long marriage to Lisa: to his high school sweetheart Frances Beer, and to singer Rita Coolidge.

Kris Kristofferson and his Kids

Kristofferson was dad to eight children, sharing daughter Tracy and son Kris Jr. with Beer, son Casey with Coolidge and sons Jesse, Jody, Johnny, Blake and daughter Kelly Marie with Lisa over the course of their 41 year marriage.

Kris Kristofferson is Honored 2016

Kristofferson took part in a tribute to his music back in 2016 where he performed alongside Reba McEntire, Nelson and Emmylou Harris at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.

Kris Kristofferson Reunites with Barbra Streisand

Kristofferson reunited on stage with Streisand during her show in Hyde Park, London in 2019 where they performed their A Star Is Born duet, "Lost Inside Of You."

Kris Kristofferson's Lasting Legacy

Kristofferson released his final studio album,The Cedar Creek Sessions, in 2016 and in 2021 would formally announce his retirement from music after facing a diagnosis of Lyme disease.

Last year he attended the Class of 2023 Medallion Ceremony at Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum (pictured here) where he had been inducted in 2004.

On Sept. 28, 2024, Kristofferson died in his home in Maui surrounded by his family. He was 88.

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