American singer, songwriter, and actor, Kris Kristofferson has been confirmed dead at the age of 88.
No cause of death was given in a statement issued by the family of the artist.
Kris Kristofferson, a Country Music Hall of Fame honoree and Grammy winner known for writing hits like “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down” and “Me and Bobby McGee.”
He performed solo for decades but also formed the supergroup The Highwaymen in the mid-1980s with Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, and Willie Nelson.
In film, the Golden Globe winner was also known for his appearances as Whistler alongside Wesley Snipes in the vampire trilogy “Blade.”
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” In Hawaii, the family said in a statement carried on his official Facebook page.
“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.”
Born on June 22, 1936, in Brownsville, Texas, Kristofferson moved frequently as a child because his father was in the US military. He attended Pomona College in California and went to Oxford as a Rhodes scholar, according to his official website.
He joined the army but was still pursuing his interest in music and songwriting. He was offered a teaching job at West Point but decided instead to head to Nashville, where he began to submit songs for others to record.
He finally signed his record deal and put out his first album in 1970. He would earn success both with his voice and by providing tunes for other hitmakers.