(This article has been updated to fix a typo.)

Kris Kristofferson, the talented singer-songwriter known for his heartfelt lyrics that made him a country music icon and whose striking appearance turned him into a Hollywood star in the 1970s, has passed away. He was 88 years old.

He died at his residence in Maui, Hawaii, on Saturday, as confirmed by a representative for Kristofferson to YSL News. The specific cause of death has not been released.

“With great sadness, we announce the peaceful passing of our husband, father, and grandfather, Kris Kristofferson, at home on September 28,” his family shared in a statement. “We feel fortunate for the time we spent with him. Thank you for all the love you gave him over the years, and when you spot a rainbow, remember that he is smiling down on us.”

Despite describing his voice as akin to “a frog’s,” Kristofferson produced over 20 studio albums and spent a decade collaborating with country music legends — Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, and Willie Nelson — in the influential band The Highwaymen from 1985 to 1995.

The prolific songwriter created numerous timeless classics, many of which became hits for other artists. His notable works include “Me and Bobby McGee” (best known by Janis Joplin), “For the Good Times” (Ray Price), “Sunday Morning Comin’ Down” (a No. 1 hit for Johnny Cash), “Lovin’ Her Was Easier (Than Anything I’ll Ever Do Again)” (Roger Miller), “Help Me Make It Through the Night” (Sammi Smith), and “Once More with Feeling” (a collaboration with Shel Silverstein for Jerry Lee Lewis).

“When discussing songwriters, his name is always at the forefront,” Nelson said in 2020 about Kristofferson, whom he praised as “one of my oldest, best friends.” He added, “He’s probably penned more great songs than anyone else.”

A Rhodes Scholar and student at Oxford University, Kristofferson made a significant impact in the 1970s film scene as a rugged, charismatic lead. His performances included the romantic lead in Martin Scorsese’s 1974 film “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore” and as a struggling rock singer opposite Barbra Streisand in 1976’s “A Star Is Born.”

Once a star athlete in college football, Kristofferson played in the 1977 comedy “Semi-Tough” featuring Burt Reynolds and portrayed a rebellious truck driver in Sam Peckinpah’s action-comedy “Convoy.”

Kris Kristofferson was born on June 22, 1936, in Brownsville, Texas, to Major General Henry Kristofferson as the eldest of three children. He developed a passion for music, particularly the sounds of country legend Hank Williams, and began writing songs at the age of 11.

Having grown up in a military family that frequently relocated, the Kristoffersons eventually settled in San Mateo, California, where he graduated from San Mateo High School in 1954. He attended Pomona College in Claremont, California, where he gained fame as a Golden Gloves boxer while also excelling in sports and serving as the sports editor for the college newspaper.

A graduate of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC), Kristofferson postponed his Army service to delve into British literature as a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford. After returning to America, he married Frances Beer, with whom he raised two children, and completed his Ranger School training to become a helicopter pilot.

In 1965, as his unit prepared for deployment to Vietnam, Capt. Kristofferson opted to teach literature at West Point instead. However, he chose to resign his commission to chase a career in songwriting in Nashville. He started his journey by working as a bartender and janitor at Columbia Recording Studios.

Director Sam Peckinpah catapulted Kris Kristofferson into the spotlight in 1973 by casting him as William H. Bonney in “Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid.” His film career flourished until it faced a major setback after Kristofferson starred in the infamous 1980 flop “Heaven’s Gate.”

“I’m sure it diverted me from my path at that time. I think it made me unmarketable for a period,” Kristofferson remarked during an interview for the documentary, “Final Cut: The Making of ‘Heaven’s Gate’ and the Unmaking of a Studio.”

Kristofferson kept performing music until his quiet retirement in 2020, after being inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2004 and the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2015.

In more recent years, Kristofferson faced challenges with memory loss, mentioning in a 2016 interview with Rolling Stone that he suspected it was related to Lyme disease, which he had been diagnosed with that year.

His last performances occurred at Willie Nelson’s two-night 90th birthday celebration concert at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles in April. One particularly touching moment came when a joyful Kristofferson took the stage with Roseanne Cash to perform his well-loved song “Lovin’ Her Was Easier.” The pair were visibly emotional as they finished the song, receiving thunderous applause from the audience.