The country world is mourning after Kris Kristofferson died on Saturday (Sept. 28) at 88 years old.
Whether you knew him best as a world-class songwriter, one-fourth of the legendary group The Highwaymen, a solo artist or for his work as a film actor, Kristofferson left an indelible impact on the entertainment industry, and its stars quickly began to take to social media to pay their respects.
Some of country music’s greatest living legends count Kristofferson as a hero.
“I am so glad I got to meet him and be around him. One of my favorite people,” Reba McEntire writes in her remembrance.
McEntire describes Kristofferson as “a gentleman, kind soul and a lover of words,” adding, “Rest in peace, Kris.”
Back in 2016, the “Fancy” superstar paid tribute to Kristofferson with a performance of his song “Me and Bobby McGee” during a tribute show in Nashville, and her time onstage became even more special when Kristofferson came up onstage to make the performance a duet.
Dolly Parton was also among the first to post a tribute to Kristofferson, saying: “What a great loss. What a great writer. What a great actor. What a great friend. I will always love you.”
Flip through the gallery below to read tributes, memories and favorite personal stories of Kristofferson, from McEntire and more artists who knew and loved him.
Kris Kristofferson Dies: Country Stars React
The country world was left mourning when Kris Kristofferson died at age 88 on Saturday (Sept. 28.)
The legendary, genre-spanning singer-songwriter touched hearts and lives across a variety of corners of the entertainment industry. Whether you knew him as a Highwayman, the writer behind classics like “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down” or as an actor in films like A Star is Born, Kristofferson’s impact was undeniable.
Flip through the gallery below to see country stars’ tributes to the late, great legend.
Gallery Credit: Carena Liptak