Kris Kristofferson, the American Jack of all trades and master of all singer-songwriter and actor, has died. He was 88.

Popular for songs that hit the top charts like “Loving Arms”, “Why Me Lord”, “Me and Bobby McGee”, “Help Me Make it Through the NIght” and “For the Good Times”, the country music icon whose popularity spanned four decades - from the 60’s to the 80’s , died at his home in Maui Hawaii.

Family spokesperson Ebie McFarland said Kristofferson was surrounded by his family at his bedside when he died. He passed on Saturday (September 28), three years after retiring from show business.

“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,” said the family in a statement.



A Rhode Island scholar who is known for his intellectual intelligence and his compositions, also starred in several hit moviews that included “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, with Ellen Burstyn; the original “ A Star Is Born” with Barbra Streisand”; “Blade” with Wesley Snipes and many other Western setting films.

Many of fans worldwide love him for his music but Hollywood writers knew Kris as one of the American singer-actors who are likewise intellectually gifted.

He could recite long poems from memory and had received master degree in English from the Merton College in England. In college, he shone in sports as a Golden Gloves boxer and football player.

Kris Kristofferson was also a trained US Army Pilot.

Legendary Johnny Cash once recounted a story when Kristofferson landed a helicopter on his lawn to deliver the tape of “Sunday Morning Comin’ Down”. Cash was not home to receive the tape.

Kristofferson was close to the late rock singer Janis Joplin and tied the knot with Rita Coolidge, another popular songwriter, with him he performed well-loved songs. The marriage ended in 1980.