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Juggernauts of the industry like Barbara Streisand, Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire, and many others have paid tribute to the recently demised actor and country music icon Kris Kristofferson at age 88.
The news of Kris Kristofferson's death was shared by his family via Instagram on Sunday (September 29). The post featured a black-and-white photo of the deceased icon with the caption:
“It is with a heavy heart that we share the news our husband/father/grandfather, Kris Kristofferson, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 28 at home,” his family wrote in a statement via Instagram on Sunday, September 29. “We’re all so blessed for our time with him. Thank you for loving him all these many years, and when you see a rainbow, know he’s smiling down at us all."
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The post ended with the family asking for privacy as they mourned the death of the country music legend.
Several big names have come up to pay tribute to Kristofferson. Barbara Streisand paid tribute to her A Star Is Born co-star, describing him as a special and charming performer.
“The first time I saw Kris performing at the Troubadour club in L.A. I knew he was something special,” she wrote on Instagram. “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 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."
Streisand concluded with a line for Kris Kristofferson's wife Lisa. The EGOT winner lauded her efforts to support her husband in every way possible.
Fellow country music legend Dolly Parton took to Instagram to share her message for the deceased singer/actor. She wrote:
"What a great loss/ What a great writer/ What a great actor/ What a great friend/ I will always love you, Dolly"
Kristofferson and Parton collaborated on the 1982 cover of Parton's musical number Put It Off Until Tomorrow.
Other celebrities who have reacted to Kris Kristofferson's death
Several other icons from across the industry have mourned the death of Kris Kristofferson. Country music legend Reba McEntire shared an old photo with the Why Me singer with the caption:
"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."
Meanwhile, American singer and songwriter LeAnn Rimes described Kristofferson as an "epic human with the biggest heart." Posting a photo of herself alongside the singer/actor, she wrote:
"You will be so, so missed. Rest easy, my friend."
Next, Kristofferson's Outlaw Justice co-star Travis Tritt referred to him as an inspiration.
"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," Tritt wrote. "My heartfelt condolences go out to Kris’s wife Lisa and all of his family, friends and fans."
Finally, Lee Greenwood described Kristofferson's contribution to a diverse spectrum of fields. in an emotional Facebook post, he wrote:
"Hard to believe my friend Kris Kristofferson has left us," Greenwood wrote. "He was successful in all areas of his life. A champion boxer, a world-class actor, a spectacular songwriter and singer, and a hero to everyone fortunate enough to know him."
Greenwood recalled the time Kristofferson supported him when the American singer/songwriter received his first CMA Country Music Association Male Vocalist of the Year Award. He ended the note by sending his deepest sympathy to Kris' family.
A peak into Kris Kristofferson's glorious career
Kris Kristofferson started working as a janitor at Columbia Records after coming back from military service post-college. From there, he went on to become one of the most revered country icons of his generation.
Kristofferson released his first album Sunday Mornin’ Coming’ Down, in 1972. While making hit music, he also started dipping his toes into acting. Kristofferson starred in films like Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore (1974) before getting a call for the 1976 remake of A Star Is Born alongside Barbara Streisand. The lead role in the film got him a Golden Globe for Best Actor in 1977.
Kristofferson went on to collect an enviable assortment of awards for his work in acting and music, including three Grammys and a lifetime achievement award from the Recording Academy in 2018.
The Stranger singer also got an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song in 2985 for the film Songwriter. He was also inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2004.
