Barbra Streisand remembers ‘A Star is Born’ co-star Kris Kristofferson

(This story was updated to add new information.)
For Barbra Streisand, country music icon Kris Kristofferson was a true star.
Streisand, who co-starred with Kristofferson in 1976’s “A Star is Born,” paid tribute to the acclaimed singer-songwriter, who died at his Maui, Hawaii, home on Saturday at the age of 88. A cause of death was not given.
Kristofferson played rock ‘n’ roller John Norman Howard opposite Streisand’s Esther Hoffman in the romantic drama, which won Kristofferson a Golden Globe for best actor in a comedy or musical.
“The first time I saw Kris performing at the Troubadour club in L.A. I knew he was something special,” Streisand wrote on Instagram Sunday alongside a photo of the film’s poster. “Barefoot and strumming his guitar, he seemed like the perfect choice for a script I was developing, which eventually became A Star Is Born.”
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Streisand also recalled reuniting with Kristofferson during a 2019 concert performance in London, where they performed their “A Star is Born” duet “Lost Inside of You.”
“He was as charming as ever, and the audience showered him with applause,” Streisand wrote. “It was a joy seeing him receive the recognition and love he so richly deserved.”
Even with a voice that he likened to “a frog,” Kristofferson released over 20 studio albums throughout his career and won three Grammy awards.
Other stars joined Streisand in commemorating Kristofferson’s musical legacy with tributes on social media.
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Fellow country music icon Dolly Parton took to Instagram to mourn Kristofferson’s death. The two collaborated on a 1982 cover of Parton’s song “Put It Off Until Tomorrow.”
“What a great loss. What a great writer. What a great actor. What a great friend,” Parton wrote. “I will always love you.”
Queen of Country music Reba McEntire shared a throwback photo of herself and Kristofferson on Instagram alongside a touching tribute.
“What a gentleman, kind soul, and a lover of words,” McEntire wrote. “I am so glad I got to meet him and be around him. One of my favorite people. Rest in peace, Kris.”
In a heartfelt X post, LeAnn Rimes fondly remembered Kristofferson’s kind character.
“An epic human with the biggest heart ♥️” Rimes wrote alongside a photo of herself and Kristofferson. “You will be so, so missed. Rest easy, my friend.”
Travis Tritt, who co-starred with Kristofferson in the spaghetti Western TV movie “Outlaw Justice,” paid tribute to the Golden Globe-winning actor in an X post.
“Sad to hear of Kris Kristofferson’s passing. He was an inspiration to me and I was fortunate to get to know him on the set of ‘Outlaw Justice’ that we filmed in Spain in 1998,” Tritt wrote. “My heartfelt condolences go out to Kris’s wife Lisa and all of his family, friends and fans.”
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In an emotional Facebook post, Lee Greenwood reflected on Kristofferson’s support of him in the country music industry.
“Hard to believe my friend Kris Kristofferson has left us,” Greenwood wrote. “He was successful in all areas of his life. A champion boxer, a world-class actor, a spectacular songwriter and singer, and a hero to everyone fortunate enough to know him.
“I will never forget his support for me when I received my first CMA Country Music Association Male Vocalist of the Year Award – his friendship and encouragement helped validate my career in country music and my place in Nashville. My family and I send our deepest sympathy to Kris’ family. We lost a giant in our industry today!”
Don McLean reminisced on the “magical weekend” he spent with Kristofferson at the Newport Folk Festival in 1969 in a statement posted to X.
“Johnny Cash brought him and introduced him. Pete Seeger brought me and introduced me,” McLean said. “If that were not enough, other artists made their debut as well such as James Taylor and Van Morrison.”
He added: “To top it off we landed a man on the moon that weekend and everybody was writing songs. Whenever I saw him we would always talk about it. Kris was a fine man.”
John Carter Cash, son of country icon Johnny Cash, mourned Kristofferson’s death in an emotional Instagram post. Kristofferson and Johnny Cash were both members of the country supergroup The Highwaymen alongside Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson.
“Time has passed and God has called my friend home,” Cash wrote alongside a slideshow tribute. “Kris was one of the most important and impactful people in my entire life. He gave me faith in my own ability as a writer and music producer, he showed (me) how to laugh.
“He showed me the purpose of music and poetry by living his dream, not sleeping through life. He held a large part of my heart and only he could have ever created the space.” 
Duane Allen, lead vocalist of The Oak Ridge Boys, recalled Kristofferson’s influence on the group in a statement.
“When The Oak Ridge Boys were searching for a way to grow our career we listened to Kris Kristofferson’s music,” Allen said. “The stories in his songs were things we were experiencing. Then, he wrote, ‘Why Me Lord.’
“When we heard that song the message struck home. It assured us that we were on the right track. We love Kris and his beautiful family. Please remember them in your prayers.”
Sam Moore paid tribute to his friendship with Kristofferson in a Facebook post.
“I had the pleasure of knowing Kris and performing and participating at a few events with him over the years,” Moore wrote. “He was absolutely a delight. He was also a genius. I don’t know how many people know he was a Rhodes Scholar.”
Kristofferson, a graduate of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC), delayed his Army commitment to study British literature as a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University.
“They say he had a brain similar to Albert Einstein,” Moore continued. “We have lost a wonderful man and a talented singer, songwriter, and artist. Rest in Heavenly Power Kris.”
Contributing: Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY