Introduction
Barbra Streisand Pays Tribute to Kris Kristofferson: “He Was Something Special”
Legendary singer and actress Barbra Streisand has shared a moving tribute to her A Star Is Born co-star, Kris Kristofferson, who passed away at the age of 88 on September 28. Reflecting on their enduring friendship and unforgettable collaboration, Streisand remembered Kristofferson not just as a gifted performer, but as a man whose presence left a lasting mark on both music and film.
“The first time I saw Chris perform at the Troubadour Club in L.A., I knew he was something special,” Streisand wrote. “Barefoot and strumming his guitar, he seemed like the perfect choice for a script I was developing, which eventually became A Star Is Born.”
Their 1976 film together went on to become one of the most iconic projects in both of their careers. Streisand played Esther Hoffman, an aspiring singer rising to stardom, while Kristofferson portrayed troubled rock star John Norman Howard, a role that earned him a Golden Globe for Best Actor. Their on-screen chemistry was undeniable, cemented by their powerful duet of “Evergreen,” the film’s love theme written by Streisand herself. The song went on to win an Academy Award for Best Original Song, solidifying their collaboration as one of Hollywood’s most memorable.
Streisand fondly recalled their bond, which lasted well beyond the film. In 2019, she invited Kristofferson to join her on stage at her Hyde Park concert in London, where they performed their duet “Lost Inside of You.” “He was as charming as ever,” she remembered. “The audience showered him with applause—it was a joy to see him receive the love he so richly deserved.”
By the time Kristofferson starred in A Star Is Born, he was already a country music legend, known for timeless classics like Me and Bobby McGee and Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down. His rugged charisma and poetic songwriting made him a natural fit for the role, while his transition to acting added another layer to his celebrated career.
Streisand closed her tribute with heartfelt condolences to Kristofferson’s wife, Lisa, his partner of 40 years. “My thoughts go to Chris’s wife Lisa, who I know supported him in every way possible,” she wrote.
Kris Kristofferson’s artistry, humility, and spirit will live on—not only through his music and films, but also through the lives he touched along the way.