Introduction
Barbra Streisand Honors Kris Kristofferson: ‘He Was Something Special’
Barbra Streisand has paid a heartfelt tribute to her A Star Is Born co-star, Kris Kristofferson, who passed away at 88 on September 28. Reflecting on their decades-long friendship and professional partnership, Streisand highlighted the qualities that made Kristofferson not only a gifted performer but also a deeply respected figure in both music and film.
“I first saw Kris perform at the Troubadour Club in L.A., and I knew he was something special,” Streisand shared on social media. “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 collaboration on the 1976 film became one of the defining moments of both their careers. Streisand played Esther Hoffman, an aspiring singer whose career rises as her lover, portrayed by Kristofferson, struggles with personal demons. Kristofferson’s portrayal of the troubled rock star John Norman Howard earned him a Golden Globe for Best Actor, while Streisand’s performance cemented her reputation as a powerhouse in both music and film.
The film also showcased their musical chemistry. Streisand had written the movie’s love theme, Evergreen, which they performed together on screen. The song went on to win an Academy Award for Best Original Song, becoming a hallmark of their collaboration. “Chris and I sang the song I wrote for the film’s main love theme, Evergreen,” Streisand recalled. “Our chemistry on screen translated into a genuine friendship that lasted long after the cameras stopped rolling.”
One particularly memorable moment came during Streisand’s 2019 concert at London’s Hyde Park, where she invited Kristofferson to join her on stage for their A Star Is Born duet, Lost Inside of You. “He was as charming as ever, and the audience showered him with applause,” she said. “It was a joy seeing him receive the recognition and love he so richly deserved.”
By the time Kristofferson took on the role of John Norman Howard, he was already a celebrated country music star, known for classics like Me and Bobby McGee and Sunday Morning Coming Down. His rugged charm and musical talent made him a natural fit for the film, and his performance alongside Streisand added depth that helped make the movie a timeless classic.
Streisand concluded her tribute with a message of sympathy for Kristofferson’s family, particularly his wife of 40 years, Lisa. “My thoughts go to Chris’s wife Lisa, who I know supported him in every way possible,” she wrote.
Through both their art and their friendship, Streisand remembered Kristofferson not just as a colleague, but as someone truly exceptional—an artist and a man whose presence left a lasting mark on the world.