Barbra Streisand shared a touching tribute to her A Star is Born co-star Kris Kristofferson following his passing on Saturday.
Streisand, 82, took to Instagram on Sunday and shared a nostalgic image of the album cover of A Star is Born, released in 1976 along with the film, and a more recent photo of her and the country singer-songwriter and actor performing together.
“The first time I saw Kris perform at the Troubadour club in Los Angeles I knew he was something special,” she wrote in the caption.
“Barefoot and strumming his guitar, he seemed like the perfect choice for a script he was developing, which eventually became A Star is Born.”
“In the movie, Kris and I sang the song I had written for the movie’s main love theme, “Evergreen.”
Barbra Streisand, 82, shared a touching tribute to her A Star is Born co-star Kris Kristofferson after he passed away on Saturday at the age of 88.
Streisand took to Instagram on Sunday and shared a nostalgic image of the album cover A Star is Born, released in 1976 along with the film, and a more recent photo of them performing.
‘For my last gig in 2019 at London’s Hyde Park, I asked Kris to join me on stage to sing our other duet from A Star Is Born, “Lost Inside Of You”. He was as charming as ever and the audience showered him with applause. “It was a pleasure to see him receive the recognition and love he so richly deserved.”
He concluded his post by offering his condolences to Kristofferson’s family.
“My thoughts go out to Kris’ wife, Lisa, who I know supported him in every way possible.”
Kristofferson played the role of troubled rocker John Norman Howard in the 1976 remake of A Star Is Born opposite Streisand.
He won the Golden Globe in 1977 for his work in the film.
The 1976 version of A Star is Born, which has been remade four times, included the number one song, ‘Love Theme From A Star is Born’, written by Streisand.
The song earned Streisand a Grammy Award in 1978 and an Oscar for Best Original Song at the 1977 Academy Awards.
The film received four Golden Globe Awards in 1977.
The iconic film was recently remade in 2018 and starred Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper in the lead roles.
“The first time I saw Kris perform at the Troubadour club in Los Angeles I knew he was something special,” she wrote in the caption.
‘For my last gig in 2019 at London’s Hyde Park, I asked Kris to join me on stage to sing our other duet from A Star Is Born, “Lost Inside Of You”. He was as charming as ever and the audience showered him with applause. It was a pleasure to see him receive the recognition and love he so deserved,’ he added; seen in an Instagram snapshot
Kristofferson played the role of troubled rocker John Norman Howard in the 1976 remake of A Star Is Born opposite Streisand.
He won the Golden Globe in 1977 for his work in the film; the duo seen in a still image
Streisand’s song ‘Love Theme From A Star is Born’ earned her a Grammy Award in 1978 and an Oscar for Best Original Song at the 1977 Academy Awards; seen in 1976
The multi-talented artist died Saturday at his home in Maui, Hawaii, his representative told People.
Kristofferson passed away ‘peacefully’ surrounded by family.
“It is with great sadness that we share the news that our husband/father/grandfather, Kris Kristofferson, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 28 at his home,” his family said in a statement, the outlet reported. “We are all very blessed by the time we spent with him.”
“Thank you for loving him all these years, and when you see a rainbow, you’ll know he’s smiling down on us all.”
Kristofferson’s other notable acting efforts include a role as the character Whistler in the Wesley Snipes action films Blade (1998), Blade II (2002), and Blade: Trilogy (2004).
He also starred opposite Ellen Burstyn in director Martin Scorsese’s 1974 film Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.
Hollywood may have saved his music career. He still gained exposure through his film and television appearances, even when he couldn’t afford to tour with a full band.
His musical career began in the late 1960s, when the Brownsville, Texas, native wrote classic standards such as Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down, Help Me Make it Through the Night, For the Good Times and Me and Bobby McGee.
The iconic film was remade in 2018 and starred Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper in the lead roles; seen in a frame
Kristofferson was a singer, but many of his songs were better known because they were performed by others, whether it was Ray Price singing For the Good Times or Janis Joplin singing Me and Bobby McGee.
Kristofferson, who could recite William Blake by heart, wove intricate folk music lyrics about loneliness and tender romance into popular country music.
Hits Kristofferson recorded include Why Me, Loving Her Wasier (Than Anything I’ll Ever Do), Watch Closely Now, Desperados Waiting for a Train, A Song I’d Like to Sing and Jesus Was a Capricorn.
“There is no better living songwriter than Kris Kristofferson,” said Willie Nelson during a November 2009 Kristofferson awards ceremony held by BMI. “Everything you write is a standard and we will all have to live with that.”
At times, Kristofferson’s legend was larger than life. Johnny Cash liked to tell a rather exaggerated story about how Kristofferson, a former US Army pilot, landed a helicopter on Cash’s lawn to give him a tape of Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down’ with a beer in his hand.
In interviews over the years, Kristofferson respectfully told Cash that while a helicopter landed at Cash’s house, the Man in Black wasn’t even home at the time, the demo tape was a song that no one cut and I certainly couldn’t pilot a helicopter with a beer in hand.
In a 2006 interview with The Associated Press, he said he might not have had a career without Cash.
“Shaking his hand when I was still in the military backstage at the Grand Ole Opry was the moment I decided I was going to come back,” Kristofferson said. ‘It was electric. He kind of took me under his wing before cutting any of my songs. He recorded my first album, which was record of the year. He put me on stage the first time.
Kristofferson retired from acting and recording in 2021 and only made occasional guest appearances on stage.
The talented country artist, singer-songwriter and actor died Saturday at his home in Maui, Hawaii, his representative told People; seen in 2019
The Brownsville, Texas native wrote such classics as Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down, Help Me Make it Through the Night, For the Good Times and Me and Bobby McGee; Pictured performing in 1973.
As news of his passing spread, several people and institutions paid tribute to Kristofferson online.
Dolly Parton wrote: “What a great loss.” What a great writer. What a great actor. What a great friend. I will always love you, Dolly.
Country artist Travis Tritt said, “Sad to hear of the passing of Kris Kristofferson.” He was an inspiration to me and I was lucky enough to meet him on the set of Outlaw Justice which we filmed in Spain in 1998. My deepest condolences to Kris’ wife Lisa and all his family, friends and fans.
Country artist John Rich said, “It’s so sad to hear that Kris Kristofferson has passed away.” He and I became friends over the years, and it was a great honor every time I worked or hung out with him. He was one of the greatest lyricists who ever lived and a true class act. He set the bar very high. I miss you brother.’
