Timeline - Kris Kristofferson (2024)

Kris Kristofferson is born in Brownsville, Texas, two miles from the Mexican border. Early in life, he learns to sing in Spanish.

At the age of 18, two of Kris’s compositions, “Gone Are the Days,” and “The Rock,” are published in Atlantic Monthly after the budding writer wins a short story contest.

Appears in Sports Illustrated for achievements in rugby, football, and track & field.

“Kristofferson,” Kris’s debut album is released on Monument records in April of 1970. The album features iconic hits “Me and Bobby McGee,” “Help Me Make It Through The Night,” “For The Good Times,” and “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down.”

Johnny Cash takes Kris’s song “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down” to No. 1 on the Billboard Country Chart.

“Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down” wins Song of the Year honors at the Country Music Awards.

Ray Price releases his album “For The Good Times,” which peaks at No. 1 on Billboard Country Album charts. The title track, written by Kris, is a signature song for Price.

Sammi Smith soars to No. 1 on the country charts with her interpretation of Kris’s “Help Me Make It Through The Night.” The single won the GRAMMY for Best Country Vocal Performance, Female.

Posthumously, Kris’s close friend Janis Joplin peaks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart with Kris’s “Me and Bobby McGee.”

Kris stars in his first film, “Cisco Pike,” which also features Gene Hackman and Harry Dean Stanton.

Three of Kris’s songs are nominated nominated in the Best Country Song category at the GRAMMYs: “Help Me Make It Through The Night,” “For The Good Times,” and “Me and Bobby McGee.” “Help Me Make It Through The Night” wins the GRAMMY. “Me and Bobby McGee” is also nominated in the all genre Song of the Year category.

Kris plays Billy the Kid in “Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid,” directed by Sam Peckinpah and featuring Bob Dylan.

Kris’ “Why Me Lord” peaks at No. 1

“Why Me Lord” is nominated for Single and Song of the Year at the Country Music Awards

“Jesus Was A Capricorn” is the No. 1 Country Album on the Billboard chart.

“Why Me Lord” is nominated for two GRAMMY Awards: Best Country Vocal Performance, Male, and Best Country Song

“One Day At A Time” is nominated for Song Of The Year at Academy of Country Music Awards.

The iconic film “A Star Is Born,” starring Kris and Barbra Streisand, is released.

Kris stars in the cult trucker film “Convoy.”

“One Day At A Time,” co-written by Kris, becomes a No. 1 song for Cristy Lane.

“Songwriter,” a film starring Kris and Willie Nelson is released. The film goes on to receive an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song Score and Adaptation Score for Kristofferson.

Debut of the supergroup The Highwaymen, featuring Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, and Kris.

“Highwayman” by The Highwaymen peaks at No. 1 on the Billboard Country Chart. It ends up at No. 5 overall for the year of 1985.

Kris hosts the CMA Awards with Anne Murray at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville. The Highwaymen are nominated for Music Video and Single of the Year for “Highwayman.”

“Highwayman” (the single) is nominated for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group at the GRAMMYs.

The Highwaymen receive the Single Record of the Year Award at the ACMs. They are also nominated for Album and Music Video of the Year.

Kris releases “Repossessed.” The album is produced by Chips Moman.

Kris is featured in the film “Big Top Pee-Wee.”

Kris releases “Third World Warrior,” which contains several political songs which make him persona non grata in Nashville.

The Highwaymen’s “Highwayman 2” album is nominated for Best Country Vocal Collaboration at the 33^rd Annual Grammy Awards in NYC.

Kris releases the album “A Moment of Forever,” produced by Don Was.

Kris and Matthew McConaughey star in John Sayles’s “Lone Star.”

Kris, as Whistler, stars with Wesley Snipes in “Blade.”

Kris revives his role as Whistler in “Blade II,” co-starring with Wesley Snipes.

The Americana Honors & Awards honors Kris with the Spirit of Americana Free Speech Award.

Kris Kristofferson is inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame

Kris revives his role as Whistler, for the third and final time, in Wesley Snipes’s “Blade III.”

New West Records releases “This Old Road,” Kris’s first album of new material in 11 years. Produced by Don Was.

Kris receives the Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award at the ACM Awards

Kris plays Jennifer Anniston’s father in the film “He’s Just Not That Into You.”

New West Records releases “Closer to the Bone,” an album produced by Don Was.

BMI honors Kris with the prestigious BMI Icon Award.

Kris stars in the children’s classic “A Dolphin Tale,” with Morgan Freeman, Ashley Judd and Harry Connick Jr.

Kris releases “Feeling Mortal,” the first album on his own KK Records label.

The Academy of Country Music gives Kris it’s coveted Poet’s Award at the ACM Honors.

Kris receives a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 57^th Annual GRAMMYs

Kris plays President Andrew Jackson in “Texas Rising,” a 10-hour miniseries about the Texas Rangers.

Kris’s album “The Cedar Creek Sessions” is nominated for Best Americana Album at the GRAMMYs.