---
name: "Kris Kristofferson"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/kris-kristofferson"
fi1m_id: "kris-kristofferson"
imdb_id: "nm0001434"
tmdb_id: 10823
wikidata_id: "Q208681"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "22 June 1936"
died: "28 September 2024"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 6
average_fi1m_score: 71
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 5
updated: "2026-10-01T19:40:12.487298+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Kris Kristofferson

## Identity

Kris Kristofferson

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/kris-kristofferson
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** kris-kristofferson
- **IMDb ID:** nm0001434
- **TMDB ID:** 10823
- **Wikidata ID:** Q208681
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kris_Kristofferson, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q208681, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001434/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/10823

Actor. Born 22 June 1936 in Brownsville, Texas, USA. Died 28 September 2024.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 22 June 1936, Brownsville, Texas, USA
- **Died:** 28 September 2024
- **Active:** 1973–2007
- **Also known as:** The Highwaymen, Крис Кристофферсон, Κρις Κριστόφερσον,  クリス・クリストファーソン, کریس کریستوفرسون
- **Titles on Fi1m:** 6: 5 acting, 1 other
- **Frequently works with:** [Sam Peckinpah](https://film.one/person/sam-peckinpah.md)
- **Academy Awards:** 1 Oscar nomination
- **Average Fi1m score:** 71, as actor, over 5 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1970s 92 (1), 1980s 79 (1), 1990s 81 (2), 2000s 57 (2)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 71 to 65 across 5 titles
- **Score spread:** 1 at 80+, 3 at 60–79, 1 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 1 of 4 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 3, Action 2, Western 2, Adventure 1, History 1, Horror 1
- **Screen time:** 12 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $514m across 5 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kris_Kristofferson, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q208681, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001434/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/10823

## Streaming the US now

- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Lone Star*](https://film.one/film/lone-star.md) (86), [*Heaven's Gate*](https://film.one/film/heavens-gate.md) (79)
- **Disney+:** [*Planet of the Apes*](https://film.one/film/planet-of-the-apes-2001.md) (40)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Kris Kristofferson

> Kris Kristofferson's gravelly voice and relaxed bearing made him a persuasive outlaw, mentor or lawman. We value him most when that easy authority turns unpleasant: his corrupt sheriff in *Lone Star* gives us good reason to distrust it.

Kris Kristofferson looks comfortable with authority in *Lone Star* (1996), and that is what makes his Charlie Wade unsettling. John Sayles gives him a corrupt sheriff to play, putting the actor's gravelly voice and relaxed bearing to an unpleasant use. We felt uneasy watching him because Wade seems so at home with the power he abuses. Kristofferson makes the character register within a crowded ensemble without needing to turn every appearance into an announcement.

He played Billy opposite James Coburn in Sam Peckinpah's *Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid* (1973). *A Star Is Born* (1976) gave him the leading role of John Norman Howard opposite Barbra Streisand. His songwriting experience lends that music-industry character a useful credibility. After *Heaven's Gate* (1980), his work shifted towards supporting parts and television. Those smaller parts suited his ability to establish a presence quickly, though there is a risk of accepting the familiar voice as sufficient characterisation.

*Lone Star* shows why the supporting work deserves attention on its own terms. Chris Cooper makes Sam Deeds's thinking visible, and Elizabeth Peña gives Pilar Cruz the emotional directness the patient mystery needs. Kristofferson's Wade and Matthew McConaughey's Buddy Deeds register just as clearly among the many other lives. We rate the film highly, with a reservation about writing that occasionally makes the town's connections too neat. Sayles gets the balance right with his actors, giving us reason to pay attention to the people who listen as well as those who speak.

The later mentor role of Abraham Whistler in *Blade* (1998), alongside Wesley Snipes, found another use for Kristofferson's gruff assurance. It is sensible casting, though less surprising than Sayles turning that assurance towards corruption. We are most interested when a director has a use for his ease beyond asking us to enjoy his company. Start with *Lone Star*; do not expect the familiar voice to be a comfort.

## Biography

Kris Kristofferson was an American actor and singer-songwriter. He appeared as Charlie Wade in the 1996 film *Lone Star*.

His acting credits include *Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid* (1973), *Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore* (1974), *A Star Is Born* (1976), *Convoy* (1978), *Heaven's Gate* (1980), *Stagecoach* (1986), *Payback* (1999), *Planet of the Apes* (2001), and the *Blade* film series (1998–2004) as Abraham Whistler. He was also a member of the country supergroup The Highwaymen.

Kristofferson was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2004.

*Sources: imdb.com, en.wikipedia.org, britannica.com.*

## On Fi1m (6)

### Performed in (5) — the average rests on these

- *I'm Not There* (2007), Fi1m 74, as Narrator (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/im-not-there.md)
- *Planet of the Apes* (2001), Fi1m 40, as Karubi — [page](https://film.one/film/planet-of-the-apes-2001.md)
- *Blade* (1998), Fi1m 76, as Whistler — [page](https://film.one/film/blade.md)
- *Lone Star* (1996), Fi1m 86, as Charlie Wade — [page](https://film.one/film/lone-star.md)
- *Heaven's Gate* (1980), Fi1m 79, as James Averill — [page](https://film.one/film/heavens-gate.md)

### Also credited (1) — thanks, archive footage, uncredited

- *Taxi Driver* (1976), Fi1m 92, Thanks — [page](https://film.one/film/taxi-driver.md)

## Complete filmography (131)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Blaze* (2018), as Edwin Fuller
- *Best Friend from Heaven* (2017), as Gabriel
- *The Star* (2017), as Old Donkey (voice)
- *Hickok* (2017), as George Knox
- *The Red Maple Leaf* (2017), as President John Francis Marshall
- *Traded* (2016), as Billy
- *Texas Rising* (2015), series, as Andrew Jackson
- *Down Dog* (2015), as Jimmy Wood
- *7 Minutes* (2014), as Mr. B
- *Dolphin Tale 2* (2014), as Reed Hasket
- *The Motel Life* (2013), as Earl Hurley
- *Angels Sing* (2013), as The Colonel
- *Midnight Stallion* (2013), as Jack Shephard
- *Deadfall* (2012), as Chet
- *The Johnny Cash Music Festival* (2012), Actor
- *Joyful Noise* (2012), as Bernard Sparrow
- *The Greening of Whitney Brown* (2011), as Dusty Brown
- *Dolphin Tale* (2011), as Reed Haskett
- *Underground Entertainment: The Movie* (2011), as Kris
- *Harry Dean Stanton: Crossing Mulholland* (2011), Actor
- *OK Buckaroos* (2010), Actor
- *The Last Rites of Ransom Pride* (2010), as Shepherd Graves
- *The Child Wanderers* (2010), as Old Yohan
- *Bloodworth* (2010), as E. F. Bloodworth
- *For Sale by Owner* (2009), as Ferlin Smith
- *Legends & Lyrics: Vol. 1: Kris Kristofferson, Patty Griffin and Randy Owen* (2009), as Singer
- *Powder Blue* (2009), as Randall
- *He's Just Not That Into You* (2009), as Ken
- *Wisdom* (2008), Actor
- *Snow Buddies* (2008), as Talon (voice)
- *Jump Out Boys* (2008), as Raymond
- *I'm Not There* (2007), as Narrator (voice) — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/im-not-there.md)
- *The Best of The Johnny Cash TV Show 1969-1971* (2007), as Narrator
- *The Hottest State* (2007), Thanks
- *Disappearances* (2007), as Quebec Bill Bonhomme
- *Requiem for Billy the Kid* (2007), as Billy the Kid (voice)
- *Fast Food Nation* (2006), as Rudy Martin
- *Room 10* (2006), as Howard Davis
- *Brats: Our Journey Home* (2006), as Narrator · Music
- *14 Hours* (2005), as Chuck Worthle
- *Dreamer: Inspired By a True Story* (2005), as Pop Crane
- *The Wendell Baker Story* (2005), as L.R. Nasher
- *The Jacket* (2005), as Dr. Thomas Becker
- *Passion & Poetry: The Ballad of Sam Peckinpah* (2005), Original Music Composer
- *Blade: Trinity* (2004), as Abraham Whistler
- *Lives of the Saints* (2004), series, as Matthew Bok
- *Silver City* (2004), as Wes Benteen
- *Ronnie Hawkins: Still Alive and Kickin* (2004), Actor
- *A Tribute To Buddy Holly And The Crickets* (2004), Director of Operations
- *Where the Red Fern Grows* (2003), as Older Billy Coleman
- *This Land Is Your Land - Folk Years* (2002), Actor
- *Blade II* (2002), as Whistler
- *D-Tox* (2002), as Doc
- *John Ford Goes to War* (2002), as Narrator (voice)
- *Chelsea Walls* (2001), as Bud
- *Planet of the Apes* (2001), as Karubi — Fi1m 40, [page](https://film.one/film/planet-of-the-apes-2001.md)
- *Wooly Boys* (2001), as Shuck
- *Austin City Limits: Country* (2001), series, Actor
- *Perfect Murder, Perfect Town: JonBenét and the City of Boulder* (2000), as Lou Smit
- *Perfect Murder, Perfect Town* (2000), series, as Lou Smit
- *Comanche* (2000), Actor
- *Limbo* (1999), as Smilin' Jack
- *The Joyriders* (1999), as Eddie
- *Molokai: The Story of Father Damien* (1999), as Rudolph Meyer
- *Payback* (1999), as Bronson
- *NetForce* (1999), as Steve Day
- *Netforce* (1999), series, as Steve Day
- *Outlaw Justice* (1999), as Jesse Ray Torrance
- *The Land Before Time VI: The Secret of Saurus Rock* (1998), as Doc (voice)
- *A Soldier's Daughter Never Cries* (1998), as Bill Willis
- *Blade* (1998), as Whistler — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/film/blade.md)
- *Dance with Me* (1998), as John Burnett
- *Girls' Night* (1998), as Cody
- *Two for Texas* (1998), as Hugh Allison
- *Fire Down Below* (1997), as Orin Hanner Sr.
- *Dead Man's Gun* (1997), series, as Narrator
- *Blue Rodeo* (1996), as Owen Whister
- *Lone Star* (1996), as Charlie Wade — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/film/lone-star.md)
- *Inflammable* (1995), as Capt. Jack Guthrie
- *Pharaoh's Army* (1995), as Preacher
- *Tad* (1995), as Abraham Lincoln
- *Big Dreams & Broken Hearts: The Dottie West Story* (1995), as Kris Kristofferson
- *Brothers' Destiny* (1995), as Davis
- *Sodbusters* (1994), as Destiny
- *Trouble Shooters: Trapped Beneath the Earth* (1993), as Stan Mather
- *Cheatin' Hearts* (1993), as Tom
- *Sam Peckinpah: Man of Iron* (1993), Original Music Composer
- *Knights* (1993), as Gabriel
- *Christmas in Connecticut* (1992), as Jefferson Jones
- *No Place to Hide* (1992), as Joe Garvey
- *The Larry Sanders Show* (1992), series, as Kris Kristofferson — Fi1m 91, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-larry-sanders-show.md)
- *The Panama Deception* (1992), Thanks
- *Original Intent* (1992), as Jack Saunders
- *Miracle in the Wilderness* (1991), as Jericho Adams
- *Another Pair of Aces: Three of a Kind* (1991), as Rip Metcalf
- *Night of the Cyclone* (1991), as Stanley 'Stan'
- *The Highwaymen: Live at Nassau Coliseum* (1990), Author
- *Pair of Aces* (1990), as Capt. "Rip" Metcalf
- *Sandino* (1990), as Tom Holte
- *Welcome Home* (1989), as Jake
- *Millennium* (1989), as Bill Smith
- *Joan Rivers and Friends Salute Heidi Abromowitz* (1988), as Kris Kristofferson
- *Big Top Pee-wee* (1988), as Mace Montana
- *The Tracker* (1988), as Noble Adams
- *Amerika* (1987), series, as Devin Milford
- *Jerry Lee Lewis: I Am What I Am* (1987), Actor
- *Stagecoach* (1986), as Ringo Kid
- *Blood & Orchids* (1986), series, as Curt Maddox
- *The Last Days of Frank and Jesse James* (1986), as Jesse James
- *Trouble in Mind* (1985), as Hawk
- *Songwriter* (1984), as Blackie Buck, Songs
- *Flashpoint* (1984), as Bobby Logan
- *The Lost Honor of Kathryn Beck* (1984), as Ben Cole
- *The Last Horror Film* (1982), as Kris Kristofferson (uncredited)
- *Rollover* (1981), as Hubbell Smith
- *Heaven's Gate* (1980), as James Averill — Fi1m 79, [page](https://film.one/film/heavens-gate.md)
- *Freedom Road* (1979), as Abner Lait
- *Convoy* (1978), as Rubber Duck
- *Semi-Tough* (1977), as Shake Tiller
- *A Star Is Born* (1976), as John Norman Howard
- *Vigilante Force* (1976), as Aaron Arnold
- *The Sailor Who Fell from Grace with the Sea* (1976), as Jim Cameron
- *Taxi Driver* (1976), Thanks — Fi1m 92, [page](https://film.one/film/taxi-driver.md)
- *Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore* (1974), as David
- *Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia* (1974), as Biker
- *Blume in Love* (1973), as Elmo Cole
- *Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid* (1973), as Billy the Kid
- *Gospel Road: A Story of Jesus* (1973), as Vocalist
- *Cisco Pike* (1972), as Cisco Pike
- *The Last Movie* (1971), as Minstrel Wrangler · Original Music Composer
- *The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour* (1971), series, Actor

## Gallery

- ![Kris Kristofferson](https://film.one/media/person/86751/gallery-8d58c6672e33.jpg) Kris Kristofferson — Agency: Magna Artists, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a0/Kristofferson_-_78.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Concertbüro Franken,Konzert,Kris Kristofferson,Livekonzert,Livemusik,Musik,Serenadenhof (2018)](https://film.one/media/person/86751/gallery-886bedc10f0b.jpg) Concertbüro Franken,Konzert,Kris Kristofferson,Livekonzert,Livemusik,Musik,Serenadenhof (2018) — Stefan Brending (2eight), CC BY-SA 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/89/2018_Kris_Kristofferson_-_by_2eight_-_8SC9657.jpg/1280px-2018_Kris_Kristofferson_-_by_2eight_-_8SC9657.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Concertbüro Franken,Konzert,Kris Kristofferson,Livekonzert,Livemusik,Musik,Serenadenhof (2018)](https://film.one/media/person/86751/gallery-01a7612799c8.jpg) Concertbüro Franken,Konzert,Kris Kristofferson,Livekonzert,Livemusik,Musik,Serenadenhof (2018) — Stefan Brending (2eight), CC BY-SA 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/be/2018_Kris_Kristofferson_-_by_2eight_-_8SC9675.jpg/1280px-2018_Kris_Kristofferson_-_by_2eight_-_8SC9675.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Concertbüro Franken,Konzert,Kris Kristofferson,Livekonzert,Livemusik,Musik,Serenadenhof (2018)](https://film.one/media/person/86751/gallery-8e313048d935.jpg) Concertbüro Franken,Konzert,Kris Kristofferson,Livekonzert,Livemusik,Musik,Serenadenhof (2018) — Stefan Brending (2eight), CC BY-SA 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6b/2018_Kris_Kristofferson_-_by_2eight_-_8SC9696.jpg/1280px-2018_Kris_Kristofferson_-_by_2eight_-_8SC9696.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Kris Kristofferson](https://film.one/media/person/86751/gallery-8a878da2c282.jpg) Kris Kristofferson — Image via TMDB
- ![Kris Kristofferson](https://film.one/media/person/86751/gallery-e54afc50496c.jpg) Kris Kristofferson — Image via TMDB
- ![Kris Kristofferson](https://film.one/media/person/86751/gallery-5b89a5f117d1.jpg) Kris Kristofferson — Image via TMDB
- ![Concertbüro Franken,Konzert,Kris Kristofferson,Livekonzert,Livemusik,Musik,Serenadenhof (2018)](https://film.one/media/person/86751/gallery-6dc9574a56b5.jpg) Concertbüro Franken,Konzert,Kris Kristofferson,Livekonzert,Livemusik,Musik,Serenadenhof (2018) — Stefan Brending (2eight), CC BY-SA 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/64/2018_Kris_Kristofferson_-_by_2eight_-_DSC4914.jpg/1280px-2018_Kris_Kristofferson_-_by_2eight_-_DSC4914.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Concertbüro Franken,Konzert,Kris Kristofferson,Livekonzert,Livemusik,Musik,Serenadenhof (2018)](https://film.one/media/person/86751/gallery-dd4a6ee6cb8a.jpg) Concertbüro Franken,Konzert,Kris Kristofferson,Livekonzert,Livemusik,Musik,Serenadenhof (2018) — Stefan Brending (2eight), CC BY-SA 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/27/2018_Kris_Kristofferson_-_by_2eight_-_DSC4929.jpg/1280px-2018_Kris_Kristofferson_-_by_2eight_-_DSC4929.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)

## Awards

### Academy Awards — 0 won, 1 nominated

- 1985: Best Original Song Score (nominated), for *Songwriter*

### Other awards — 6 won, 1 nominated

- Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award 2014: Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (won)
- Johnny Mercer Award 2006: Johnny Mercer Award (won)
- "Spirit of Americana" Free Speech Award 2003: "Spirit of Americana" Free Speech Award (won)
- Texas Country Music Hall of Fame 2003: Texas Country Music Hall of Fame (won)
- Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actor 1982: Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actor (nominated), for *Heaven's Gate*
- Grammy Award for Best Country Song 1972: Grammy Award for Best Country Song (won), for *Help Me Make It Through the Night*
- Rhodes Scholarship 1958: Rhodes Scholarship (won)

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/kris-kristofferson