Following news of Kris Kristofferson’s death at the age of 88 on September 28, tributes have poured in from some of the biggest names in the music industry, honoring the legendary songwriter and actor whose influence spanned decades.

Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire, Eric Church and more have shared personal reflections on the man they admired, loved and called a friend.

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Dolly shared a close friendship with Kristofferson, with the pair performing duets such as “From Here to the Moon and Back” and “Put It Off Until Tomorrow” over the years.

“What a great loss,” Dolly said. “What a wonderful writer. What a great actor. What a great friend. I will always love you.”

Country star Reba McEntire said, “What a gentleman, kind soul and lover of words. I’m so glad I met him and was around him. One of my favorite people. Rest in peace, Kris.”

Travis Tritt, who appeared in the spaghetti western TV movie Outlaw country alongside Kristofferson wrote: “Sad to hear of Kris Kristofferson’s passing. He was an inspiration to me and I was lucky to get to know him on set Outlaw justice which we filmed in Spain in 1998. My sincere condolences go out to Kris’ wife Lisa and all his family, friends and fans.”

For songwriter Diane Warren, Kristofferson was the epitome of a multi-talented artist.

She wrote: “Brilliant songwriter, Rhodes scholar, great actor, not to mention criminally handsome,” she noted in her tribute. “How often do you get all that in one person? Write Forever in Power Kris Kristofferson. We lose too many greats and we just lost another one.”

Country star Eric Church shared his admiration for Kristofferson as both a role model and a friend. “The ultimate life, well lived. Thank you for being a beacon of light in an increasingly dark world. You were my hero and my role model. And even then, you managed to exceed my expectations when you became my friend.

‘Goodbye Captain. Until we meet again.”

Rosanne Cash, singer and daughter of legend Johnny Cash, said: “Here was a man. A man I knew most of my life. A piece of my heart and family history. I expected him to leave the planet quite quickly, but that doesn’t change the magnitude of the loss.”

Cash’s words carry even more weight when you consider that Kristofferson’s last public appearance was with her. The two sang a heartfelt duet of “Lovin’ You Was Easier” during Willie Nelson’s 90th birthday celebration in April 2023.

She continued, “And yet we will always have him – his enormous legacy, his resonant spirit, the enduring power of his authenticity, his astonishing gifts as a poet – in words, on screen, in his being. Over the past decades there was no Kris without Lisa and her beauty and steadfastness are a constant source of inspiration. Sending you all my love, Lisa.”

“Travel safely, dear brother. I will always love you.”

Barbra Streisand, who co-starred with Kristofferson in the 1976 version A star is bornalso previously paid tribute to him, recalling the first time she saw him perform at LA’s Troubadour. Their on-screen chemistry A star is born helped cement both actors’ status in Hollywood, with the film’s soundtrack – featuring their duet “Evergreen” – becoming a No. 1 hit on the Billboard 200.

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