Dolly Parton has honored the memory of Grammy-winning singer and actor Kris Kristofferson, who passed away at the age of 88.
The celebrated US country music star and actor from “A Star Is Born” died ‘peacefully’ at his residence in Maui, Hawaii, on Saturday, September 28. He was surrounded by his family, as confirmed by a representative.
“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.”
Across his six-decade career, Kristofferson made a lasting impression on his fans and became a prominent figure in country music. He won the Grammy for best country song in 1972 for ‘Help Me Make It Through the Night’, and also secured two Grammy-winning duets with his former wife Rita Coolidge in 1974 and 1976.
Kristofferson also left his mark on the film industry, winning a Golden Globe for his role as the troubled rocker John Norman Howard in the 1976 remake of “A Star Is Born,” where he starred opposite Barbara Streisand’s Esther Hoffman.
On Instagram, Streisand shared her tribute, expressing that she ‘knew he was something special’ the first time she saw him perform.
Her tribute continued: “Barefoot and strumming his guitar, he seemed like the perfect choice for a script I was developing, which eventually became A Star Is Born.”
The movie won the Oscar for best original song with ‘Evergreen’.
Streisand added: “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.”
Kristofferson also starred in notable films such as Martin Scorsese’s “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore” in 1974 with Ellen Burstyn, the 1979 drama “Freedom Road” with boxing champion Muhammad Ali, and 1980’s “Heaven’s Gate” with Jeff Bridges and Christopher Walken.
He also featured in “Pat Garrett And Billy the Kid,” “Lone Star,” and the “Blade” franchise.
Among those paying tribute to Kristofferson was fellow country star Dolly Parton, with whom he co-starred in 2012’s “Joyful Noise.”
On Instagram, she wrote: “What a great loss. What a great writer. What a great actor. What a great friend. I will always love you, Dolly.”
US singer and actress Reba McEntire posted an image of them laughing on stage, calling Kristofferson ‘one of my favourite people’.
“What a gentleman, kind soul, and a lover of words. I am so glad I got to meet him and be around him,” she added.
LeAnn Rimes also remembered him on her Instagram story as ‘an epic human with the biggest heart’.
In 2004, Kristofferson was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. At that time, the chief executive for the Country Music Hall of Fame, Kyle Young, wrote on Twitter: “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.”
Kristofferson is survived by his wife, Lisa, his eight children, and seven grandchildren.