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- Kris Kristofferson Excelled Everywhere He Tried
- Kristofferson Found Fame in Country Music Before Acting
- Kristofferson Became a Star Thanks to Streisand and Peckinpah
- Heaven’s Gate Set Kristofferson’s Career Back
- Late Career Performances Were a Reminder of Kristofferson’s Acting Prowess
Reflecting upon the life and career of Kris Kristofferson, I am struck by the resilience and versatility that defined his artistic journey. From the heights of stardom to the depths of struggle, he remained undaunted, always ready to take on new challenges and embrace change.
Kris Kristofferson, who passed away peacefully at his Maui home on September 28, was a versatile individual with exceptional skills in numerous areas. From being a talented athlete and dredging an atoll in the South Pacific to flying helicopters and creating unforgettable songs like “Me and Bobby McGee,” he excelled in all aspects. He also starred in numerous films, portraying vampires, outlaws, and corrupt sheriffs in memorable roles. Born into a military family in 1936, Kristofferson lived a nomadic childhood until his family eventually settled in San Mateo, California.
By the time of his death, Kristofferson had been featured in Sports Illustrated for his collegiate athletics, served in the military overseas, racked up well over 100 film and TV roles, and been inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. His road to fame wasn’t a shot into the stratosphere, though, as he first struggled through his 20s, working on oil rigs in Louisiana while desperately trying to gain notice for his music in Nashville, shuttling back and forth almost weekly. Even after becoming a star, his film career saw many peaks and valleys.
Kris Kristofferson Excelled Everywhere He Tried
Following their westward relocation, Kristofferson retained his distinctive Texas accent, rooted in his youth spent in Texas. Later, he shifted to Southern California from San Mateo in the early ’50s for Pomona College. At Pomona, Kristofferson excelled in rugby, football, and track & field. An influential philosophy professor, Frederick Sontag, left a profound impact on him. Upon graduating with highest honors, Kristofferson was awarded a Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford University. However, yielding to immense family pressure, he chose military service upon his return to the U.S. instead of continuing his academic pursuits.
During his time in West Germany as a serviceman, Kris Kristofferson learned how to fly helicopters, which proved useful upon his return home. He piloted helicopters between a Louisiana oil rig and various locations during the ’60s. While serving in the military, he started writing songs. When he chose to leave the army to focus on music, his family rejected him. Unphased, Kristofferson drove up from Louisiana to Nashville on weekends, attempting to share his demo tapes with influential figures. Eventually, he crossed paths with June Carter, who introduced his music to her husband, Johnny Cash.
Kristofferson Found Fame in Country Music Before Acting
Following several weeks of anticipation, Kristofferson grew impatient and decided to fly his helicopter straight into Johnny Cash’s backyard. “I must admit it was a questionable move, something I wouldn’t exactly advise repeating. I’m not even sure he was home,” Kristofferson reminisced. Regardless, the unconventional approach managed to grab Cash’s attention, and in 1969, Cash recorded one of Kristofferson’s songs, “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down.” The recording earned Kristofferson the Songwriter of the Year award at the Country Music Awards the subsequent year, effectively launching his music career.
In the year following his brief romance with rock icon Janis Joplin, a rendition of his song “Me and Bobby McGee” by her reached the top of the Billboard charts, not long after her passing. Despite being a well-known figure in country music, Kristofferson chose an unconventional path for his acting career. His debut acting role was in The Last Movie, an avant-garde, metafictional film directed by Dennis Hopper. Eager to collaborate with visionary directors, Kristofferson found himself cast in more commercial roles in Westerns, despite his distinctive Texan accent.
Kristofferson Became a Star Thanks to Streisand and Peckinpah
In 1976, Kristofferson achieved his most recognized role as he starred alongside Barbra Streisand in the film A Star is Born. Following his demise, Streisand paid tribute to her co-star and longtime friend. “The first time I saw Kris performing at the Troubadour club in L.A., I knew he was extraordinary,” she penned. “Barefoot and strumming his guitar, he appeared to be the ideal fit for a script I was working on, which eventually transformed into A Star Is Born.” The duo created a captivating chemistry on-screen and had a short-lived romance, but unlike Streisand’s continuous stardom, this collaboration marked the peak of Kristofferson’s popularity.
In some notable performances, Kristofferson’s iconic roles were given to him by the gifted filmmaker Sam Peckinpah. Despite his extraordinary skills as a writer and director, which brought hits such as “The Wild Bunch”, Peckinpah’s struggle with alcoholism and combative nature took over during his collaboration with Kristofferson. As Kristofferson put it in the documentary “Easy Riders, Raging Bulls”, working with Peckinpah was like loving a troublesome dog that occasionally brings embarrassment. Kristofferson experienced both the positive and negative aspects of Peckinpah’s directing, appearing in his most significant financial flops, such as “Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid”, and his greatest successes, including the film “Convoy”.
Heaven’s Gate Set Kristofferson’s Career Back
Known for his struggles with substance abuse, Peckinpah ultimately succumbed to these vices, while Kristofferson maintained a clean lifestyle and remained committed to acting. Despite experiencing various highs and lows in his acting career, he persevered, collaborating with distinguished filmmakers. A significant turning point came when he was cast as the lead in Michael Cimino’s Heaven’s Gate (1980). At that time, Cimino enjoyed widespread acclaim following The Deer Hunter, but the production of Heaven’s Gate turned out to be one of the most challenging and expensive productions in Hollywood history. After completion, the film was released with a heavily edited version by the studio, leading to poor box office performance, which negatively impacted both Cimino and Kristofferson’s careers.
Following his demotion from leading man status, Kristofferson remained active as an actor throughout the 80s. Simultaneously, his music career flourished, particularly when he formed The Highwaymen with Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash. During this period, he accepted various roles spanning B movies, indies, and big-budget action films. Notable performances include those in “Big Top Pee-wee” and “Lone Star”, where he portrayed a corrupt sheriff alongside Matthew McConaughey. His portrayal of Western characters was unparalleled, yet the genre’s popularity declined during this time, preventing him from securing leading roles again.
Late Career Performances Were a Reminder of Kristofferson’s Acting Prowess
Despite taking a step back from the limelight, Kris Kristofferson continued to captivate audiences with his powerful performances. A fresh wave of admiration came his way when he rekindled his stardom as Abraham Whistler in the Blade series. Across three films, he portrayed the mentor of the titular vampire hunter, investing each scene with a sincere weight that elevated the initially derided franchise into a box office success, grossing $417 million. Although Kristofferson may not have been at the forefront of casting decisions anymore, he consistently delivered heartfelt performances until his retirement in 2019. His final on-screen appearance was in Ethan Hawke’s critically acclaimed film Blaze, serving as a poignant testament to his enduring talent.
After retiring, Johnny Cash faced memory issues and numerous health concerns, but his remarkable career as a songwriter and actor had already left an indelible mark. In his later years, he found solace in Hana, Hawaii, a vibrant community filled with esteemed musicians and actors. Here, he shared camaraderie with many iconic figures from both Hollywood and Nashville. His life ended peacefully at 88, surrounded by loved ones, following an unspecified illness. His career, forever etched in music and film, remains a testament to his greatness. As Dolly Parton poignantly put it, “What a great loss. What a great writer. What a great actor. What a great friend. I will always love you.” If you’d like, you can honor his memory by streaming A Star is Born on AppleTV.
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2024-10-02 01:31