Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images
News of actor and country star Kris Kristofferson’s death broke Sunday, September 29. “He was a Rhodes Scholar in Oxford, a defensive back, a bartender, a Golden Gloves boxer, a gandy dancer, a forest firefighter, a road crew member, and an Army Ranger who flew helicopters,” an obituary from PR service Essential Broadcast Media read. “He was a peacenik, a revolutionary, an actor, a superstar, a sex symbol, and a family man. He was commissioned to teach English at West Point, though he gave that up to become a Nashville songwriting bum.”
Barbra Streisand posted a tribute to her A Star Is Born co-star on Instagram, writing “The first time I saw Kris performing at the Troubadour club in L.A. I knew he was something special.” She recalled playing with him as recently as 2019. “My thoughts go to Kris’ wife, Lisa,” she wrote, “who I know supported him in every way possible.”
Fans remembered Kristofferson for his deeply held values, which he upheld multiple times at performances. The story of Kristofferson standing by Sinéad O’Connor in her post-SNL nadir was widely shared on social media. O’Connor was getting booed at a Bob Dylan tribute show, and Kristofferson was reportedly asked to get her off stage. He refused, and told O’Connor “Don’t let the bastards get you down.”
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
The story of Kristofferson telling off Toby Keith also got a lot of coverage. Allegedly, Keith said “None of that lefty shit out there tonight, Kris.” when greeting Kristofferson at Willie Nelson’s birthday concert. Kristofferson wasn’t having it, asking Keith if he’d ever served in the military. “I asked, ‘Have you ever served your country?’ The answer is, no, you have not. Have you ever killed another man? Huh? Have you ever taken another man’s life and then cashed the check your country gave you for doing it? No, you have not. So shut the fuck up!”
RIP Kris Kristofferson💔 think about this story daily when he called out Toby Keith at Willie’s 70th bday pic.twitter.com/J0YJIsHsc7
— jb (@ghostofjohnbro) September 29, 2024
Kristofferson was tributed by those who knew and admired him across the many disciplines he touched. Reba McEntire called him “a gentleman, kind soul, and a lover of words.” Travis Tritt called him “an inspiration,” and Mike Flanagan praised his acting work: “LONE STAR is my personal favorite.” More remembraces of Kris Kristofferson are gathered below.
Kris Kristofferson on losing work for supporting Palestine: “if that’s the way it has to be, that’s the way it has to be” pic.twitter.com/fHlyZimhXU
— noah kulwin (@nkulw) September 30, 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
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
Very sorry to hear that Kris Kristofferson has passed away. Amazing career; his brilliant work in LONE STAR is my personal favorite. pic.twitter.com/YyLfwYsJyK
— Mike Flanagan (@flanaganfilm) September 29, 2024
an epic human with the biggest heart ♥️ you will be so, so missed. rest easy, my friend. #kriskristofferson pic.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.#KrisKristofferson pic.twitter.com/DBypO6hKrj
— Melissa Etheridge (@metheridge) September 29, 2024
The greatest actor/musician of all time. RIP Kris Kristofferson. pic.twitter.com/f6wN46MoeE
— Will 🦥 Menaker (@willmenaker) September 29, 2024
Rest in Peace Kris Kristofferson 💔 pic.twitter.com/7VRBUC3rAn
— Muppet History 🎃 (@HistoryMuppet) September 29, 2024
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