The iconic American songwriter and actor Kris Kristofferson died Saturday. He was 88.
In the 1970s, Kristofferson had a series of country hits like "Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down," "Me and Bobby McGee," "For The Good Times," and "Help Me Make It Through the Night."
The country music legend died peacefully at his home in Maui, Hawaii, according to his family.
“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. 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," his family said in a statement shared with PEOPLE.
The son of first-generation Swedish immigrants - his father was an Air Force general - Kristofferson was encouraged by his family to go into the military, where he trained as a helicopter pilot.
He quit the Army in 1965 to pursue a music career in Nashville, where his talents were recognized by Johnny Cash.
Kristofferson won acclaim for his songwriting skill, reflected in finely written, melancholy tunes like "Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down," which Cash covered in 1970.
Kristofferson also had a career in Hollywood, co-starring with Barbara Streisand in the 1976 musical movie A Star Is Born.
In the 1980s, Kristofferson formed the country supergroup the Highwaymen with Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, and Willie Nelson.
"I had a respect for them when I was still in the Army," he told the AP in 2005. "When I went to Nashville they were like major heroes of mine because they were people who took the music seriously. To be not only recorded by them but to be friends with them and to work side by side was just a little unreal. It was like seeing your face on Mount Rushmore.”
Kristofferson's death is being mourned by country legends including friend Dolly Parton.
"What a great loss. What a great writer. What a great actor. What a great friend," Parton wrote in a statement posted to Instagram. "I will always love you."
Country star Travis Tritt wrote, "Sad to hear of Kris Kristofferson's passing. He was an inspiration to me and I was fortunate to get to know him on the set of 'Outlaw Justice' that we filmed in Spain in 1998. My heartfelt condolences go out to Kris's wife, Lisa and all of his family, friends and fans."
In recognition of his outstanding work, Kristofferson received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014.
Kristofferson is survived by his wife Lisa, eight children and seven grandchildren.
