A cause of death was not immediately available.
The eldest of three children, Kristoffer Kristofferson was born June 22, 1936, in Brownsville, Texas.
The family moved frequently, settling in San Mateo, California, when Kristofferson was in junior high.
Kris KristoffersonMichael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Graduating Phi Beta Kappa in 1958, he received a Rhodes scholarship to Englands Oxford University.
Instead of returning to Oxford, Kristofferson enlisted in the Army.
On leave in the spring of 1965, Kristofferson took his first trip to Nashville.
I came down to Nashville, KristoffersontoldRolling Stonein 2009.
Id been playing in an Army band, so people introduced me around like I was somebody.
Everybody still called me Captain.
And I wrote seven, maybe 11 songs that first week.
The people and places I was seeing were more exciting than anything Id ever come across.
Kristofferson and his family settled in Nashville, where he continued to write songs.
Kristofferson and Cash later shared a laugh together when Clement showed Cash that infamous letter.
Its always great to get a letter from home, isnt it, Kris?
In 1967, Kristofferson recorded his debut single as a performer, Golden Idol, which promptly flopped.
Kristofferson was one of Nashvilles most in-demand songwriters, but he was still just getting started.
There, Kristofferson mingled with artists and hustled his songwriting demos.
By the turn of the decade, a whirlwind of recognition as both a songwriter and artist was underway.
Although a Top 10 chart hit, the LP was otherwise unsuccessful.
The tune also reached the pop Top 30.
But two of Kristoffersons most noteworthy early film roles were surrounded by publicity that somewhat obscured his exceptional performances.
A controversialPlayboyspread with co-star Sarah Miles accompanied the erotic 1976 dramaThe Sailor Who Fell From Grace With the Sea.
By the end of the Seventies, Kristofferson had released nine solo albums with varying critical results.
Border Lord, his third album, was largely a commercial disappointment.
He quit drinking after his Golden Globe-winning turn inA Star Is Born.
Kristoffersons film career would continue over the next four decades, with Peckinpah directing him again in 1978sConvoy.
The supergroup would record Jimmy Webbs Highwayman, which became Kristoffersons second and final Number One country hit.
His Central American activism inspired the 1990 concept album,Third World Warrior.
Not everybody agrees with what Im saying, Kristofferson told left-leaning magazineThe Progressivein 1991.
I dont think you could come and argue with the principles.
By the end of the show, the crowds always seem to be on their feet.
In 2016, he releasedThe Cedar Creek Sessions, a two-disc collection of his past songs rerecorded in Austin.
Thank you for being a beacon of light in a darkening world.
You were my hero and my role model.
And even then, you managed to exceed my expectations when you became my friend.
Other than my father, he was my greatest inspiration.
He embodied humility and kindness, and carried his grace into his words and music with unique eloquence.
What a great loss, what a great writer.
What a great actor, what a great friend, Dolly Parton said in a statement.
I will always love you.
Kristofferson quietly announced hisretirementfrom touring, recording, and acting in January 2021.
I dont think Im that good a singer, he toldRolling Stone.
I really have no anxiety about controlling my own life, KristoffersontoldRolling Stonein 2016.
Somehow I just slipped into it and its worked.
Its not up to me or you.
But somehow I just always have the feeling that He knows what Hes doing.
