Kris Kristofferson's Life in Photos

Mar. 15, 2025

Kris Kristofferson performs in 2017.Photo:Rick Diamond/Getty

Rick Diamond/Getty

Kris Kristoffersonwas 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 oppositeBarbra Streisandin 1976’sA Star is Born.In addition to his professional accolades and accomplishments, Kristofferson was a family man — becoming adad to eight kidsand sharing amore 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 Kristoffersonwas 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 oppositeBarbra Streisandin 1976’sA Star is Born.

In addition to his professional accolades and accomplishments, Kristofferson was a family man — becoming adad to eight kidsand sharing amore 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.

01of 13Kris Kristofferson’s Early DaysKris Kristofferson performs circa 1970.Su Ingle/David Reffern/Redferns/GettyKristofferson 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.

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Kris Kristofferson’s Early Days

Kris Kristofferson performs circa 1970.Su Ingle/David Reffern/Redferns/Getty

Su Ingle/David Reffern/Redferns/Getty

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.

02of 13Kris Kristofferson in NashvilleKris Kristofferson circa 1970-1975.Archive Photos/GettyKristofferson 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," hetoldClashin 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.

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Kris Kristofferson in Nashville

Kris Kristofferson circa 1970-1975.Archive Photos/Getty

Archive Photos/Getty

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,” hetoldClashin 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.

03of 13Kris Kristofferson and Johnny CashKris Kristofferson and Johnny Cash perform on ‘The Johnny Cash Show’ in 1976.Bettmann ArchiveKristofferson and Johnny Cash’s relationship went way back. Cash’s rendition of Kristofferson’s song “Sunday Mornin' Coming' Down” forThe Johnny Cash Showlive album won song of the year at theCMA Awardsin 1970 as well as hit No. 1 onBillboard’s country music chart.

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Kris Kristofferson and Johnny Cash

Kris Kristofferson and Johnny Cash perform on ‘The Johnny Cash Show’ in 1976.Bettmann Archive

Bettmann Archive

Kristofferson and Johnny Cash’s relationship went way back. Cash’s rendition of Kristofferson’s song “Sunday Mornin' Coming' Down” forThe Johnny Cash Showlive album won song of the year at theCMA Awardsin 1970 as well as hit No. 1 onBillboard’s country music chart.

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Kris Kristofferson and Janis Joplin

Janis Joplin and Kris Kristofferson in 1970.John Byrne Cooke Estate/Getty

John Byrne Cooke Estate/Getty

05of 13Kris Kristofferson Goes HollywoodKris Kristofferson and Diane Ladd in “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore”.Bettmann ArchiveIn 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 inAlice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore(pictured above) in 1974.Other famous roles included Whistler in theBladeseries and of course,A Star is Born.

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Kris Kristofferson Goes Hollywood

Kris Kristofferson and Diane Ladd in “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore”.Bettmann Archive

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 inAlice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore(pictured above) in 1974.

Other famous roles included Whistler in theBladeseries and of course,A Star is Born.

06of 13Kris Kristofferson in ‘A Star is Born’Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson in “A Star is Born”.Snap/ShutterstockKristofferson’s big Hollywood break came in the 1976 remake ofA Star Is BornwithBarbra Streisand. His portrayal of John Norman Howard earned him a Golden Globe for best actor in 1977.

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Kris Kristofferson in ‘A Star is Born’

Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson in “A Star is Born”.Snap/Shutterstock

Snap/Shutterstock

Kristofferson’s big Hollywood break came in the 1976 remake ofA Star Is BornwithBarbra Streisand. His portrayal of John Norman Howard earned him a Golden Globe for best actor in 1977.

07of 13Kris Kristofferson and The Highway MenWillie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson.Jack Vartoogian/Getty ImagesAlong with his solo career as a musician and actor, Kristofferson was a part of country supergroup The Highwaymen with Cash,Waylon JenningsandWillie Nelson.

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Kris Kristofferson and The Highway Men

Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson.Jack Vartoogian/Getty Images

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

08of 13Kris Kristofferson at the GrammysKris Kristofferson at the 1974 Grammys.CBS via GettyKristofferson 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.

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Kris Kristofferson at the Grammys

Kris Kristofferson at the 1974 Grammys.CBS via Getty

CBS via Getty

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.

09of 13Kris Kristofferson and his Wife, LisaKris Kristofferson and Lisa Meyers in 1988.Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection/GettyKristofferson 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 singerRita Coolidge.

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Kris Kristofferson and his Wife, Lisa

Kris Kristofferson and Lisa Meyers in 1988.Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection/Getty

Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection/Getty

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 singerRita Coolidge.

10of 13Kris Kristofferson and his KidsKris Kristofferson with kids Jesse and Tracy.Jean-Paul Aussenard/WireImageKristofferson was dad toeight 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.

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Kris Kristofferson and his Kids

Kris Kristofferson with kids Jesse and Tracy.Jean-Paul Aussenard/WireImage

Jean-Paul Aussenard/WireImage

Kristofferson was dad toeight 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.

11of 13Kris Kristofferson is Honored 2016Reba McEntire and Kris Kristofferson perform in 2016.Rick Diamond/GettyKristofferson took part in a tribute to his music back in 2016 where he performed alongsideReba McEntire, Nelson and Emmylou Harris at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.

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Kris Kristofferson is Honored 2016

Reba McEntire and Kris Kristofferson perform in 2016.Rick Diamond/Getty

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

12of 13Kris Kristofferson Reunites with Barbra StreisandBarbra Streisand performs with Kris Kristofferson in 2019.Dave J Hogan/GettyKristofferson reunited on stage with Streisand during her show in Hyde Park, London in 2019 where theyperformed theirA Star Is Bornduet, “Lost Inside Of You.”

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Kris Kristofferson Reunites with Barbra Streisand

Barbra Streisand performs with Kris Kristofferson in 2019.Dave J Hogan/Getty

Dave J Hogan/Getty

Kristofferson reunited on stage with Streisand during her show in Hyde Park, London in 2019 where theyperformed theirA Star Is Bornduet, “Lost Inside Of You.”

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Kris Kristofferson’s Lasting Legacy

Kris Kristofferson and Brenda Lee at the Class of 2023 Medallion Ceremony at Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.Terry Wyatt/Getty

Terry Wyatt/Getty

Kristofferson released his final studio album,The Cedar Creek Sessions, in 2016 and in 2021 would formallyannounce his retirement from musicafter 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.

source: people.com