Career Timeline of Kris Kristofferson: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Kris Kristofferson built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Kris Kristofferson is an American singer, songwriter, and actor. He played an important role in the outlaw country movement of the 1970s, moving away from traditional Nashville sounds. He achieved success as a Hollywood actor during the same era, balancing a successful career in both music and film.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1965: Turning Down West Point Teaching Position

In 1965, Kristofferson turned down a teaching position at West Point to pursue his dream of becoming a country music singer/songwriter, marking a pivotal decision to change careers.

1969: Joining The Last Movie Production

In 1969, Kristofferson left Nashville to join the production of "The Last Movie" in Peru, marking his entry into the film industry.

1969: Performance at Newport Folk Festival

In 1969, after attracting Johnny Cash's attention, Kristofferson performed with him at the Newport Folk Festival, gaining significant exposure.

June 1970: Release of Kristofferson Album

In June 1970, Monument Records released Kristofferson's debut album, "Kristofferson", which was met with critical acclaim.

1970: Debut Album Release

In 1970, Kristofferson released his debut album, "Kristofferson". This marked the beginning of his recording career, adding to his already successful songwriting career.

1971: Release of The Silver Tongued Devil and I

In 1971, Kristofferson released "The Silver Tongued Devil and I".

1972: Role in Cisco Pike

In 1972, Kristofferson appeared in the film "Cisco Pike", marking one of his early notable acting roles.

1972: Appearance on The Old Grey Whistle Test

In 1972, Kristofferson appeared with Coolidge on BBC's The Old Grey Whistle Test, performing "Help Me Make It Through the Night".

1972: Release of Border Lord

In 1972, Kristofferson released his third album, "Border Lord".

November 8, 1973: Jesus Was a Capricorn Achieves Gold Status

On November 8, 1973, Kristofferson's album "Jesus Was a Capricorn" was awarded a gold disc by the RIAA, signifying sales of over one million copies.

1973: Roles in Blume in Love and Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid

In 1973, Kristofferson appeared in "Blume in Love", directed by Paul Mazursky, and "Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid", directed by Sam Peckinpah.

1973: Roles in Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid and Blume in Love

In 1973, Kristofferson appeared in "Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid" and "Blume in Love", continuing to build his acting career.

1973: "Why Me" Reaches Number One

In 1973, Kristofferson's single "Why Me" reached number one on the American Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, marking a peak in his solo charting success.

1974: Appearance in Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore

In 1974, Kristofferson acted in Martin Scorsese's film "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore".

1974: Release of Spooky Lady's Sideshow

In 1974, Kristofferson's fifth album, "Spooky Lady's Sideshow", was released, which was a commercial failure.

1976: Starring role in A Star Is Born

In 1976, Kristofferson starred in "A Star Is Born" with Barbra Streisand, receiving a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor.

1976: A Star Is Born and Golden Globe Award

In 1976, Kristofferson starred in "A Star Is Born", for which he won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, a high point in his acting career.

1977: Appearance in Semi-Tough

In 1977, Kristofferson starred in "Semi-Tough" with Burt Reynolds.

1978: Appearance in Convoy

In 1978, Kristofferson appeared in the Sam Peckinpah film "Convoy".

November 18, 1979: Appearance on The Muppet Show

On November 18, 1979, Kristofferson and Rita Coolidge appeared on The Muppet Show. Kristofferson sang "Help Me Make It Through the Night" with Miss Piggy. Coolidge sang "We're All Alone" with forest animals, and they both sang "Song I'd Like to Sing" with the Muppet monsters.

1979: Participation in Havana Jam Festival

In 1979, Kristofferson traveled to Havana, Cuba, to participate in the historic Havana Jam festival, performing alongside various artists.

1979: Non-charting Shake Hands with the Devil

In 1979, Kristofferson's ninth album, "Shake Hands with the Devil", did not chart, indicating a downturn in his solo musical career.

1979: Willie Nelson Sings Kristofferson Reaches Number Five

In 1979, Willie Nelson's LP release of "Sings Kristofferson" reached number five on the U.S. Country Music chart and was certified Platinum, demonstrating Kristofferson's songwriting success.

1980: Starring in Heaven's Gate

In 1980, Kristofferson played the lead role in Michael Cimino's "Heaven's Gate", a film that was a critical and financial failure upon release, impacting his Hollywood status.

1981: Co-starring in Rollover

In 1981, Kristofferson co-starred with Jane Fonda in "Rollover".

1982: Collaboration on The Winning Hand

In 1982, Kristofferson joined Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, and Brenda Lee on The Winning Hand, a double album of remastered recordings from the mid-1960s, which reached the top ten on U.S. country album charts.

1984: Film Appearances and Academy Award Nomination

In 1984, Kristofferson appeared in The Lost Honor of Kathryn Beck, Flashpoint, and Songwriter. He received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song Score for Songwriter. Nelson and Kristofferson both appeared in Songwriter.

1984: Starring in Flashpoint

In 1984, Kristofferson starred in "Flashpoint" with Treat Williams.

1985: Highwaymen Formation and "Highwayman" Number One

In 1985, Kristofferson became a member of the country supergroup the Highwaymen. Also in 1985, his single "Highwayman" reached number one on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts.

1985: Co-starring in Trouble In Mind

In 1985, Kristofferson co-starred in "Trouble In Mind" with Keith Carradine and Lori Singer.

1985: Formation of The Highwaymen and Album Release

In 1985, Kristofferson, along with Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, and Johnny Cash, formed the supergroup The Highwaymen. Their self-titled first album was released on May 6 and became a success. The single "Highwayman" won ACM's single of the year. Kristofferson also starred in Trouble in Mind and released the politically aware album Repossessed that year.

1986: Role in Stagecoach

In 1986, Kristofferson appeared in "Stagecoach", continuing his acting career after a setback.

1986: Starring in The Last Days of Frank and Jesse James

In 1986, Kristofferson starred in "The Last Days of Frank and Jesse James" with Johnny Cash.

1987: Benefit Concert for Leonard Peltier

In 1987, Kristofferson played at a benefit concert for Leonard Peltier with Jackson Browne, Willie Nelson and Joni Mitchell.

1987: Starring in Amerika TV series

In 1987, Kristofferson starred in the seven-episode TV series "Amerika" with Robert Urich and Christine Lahti.

1989: Male lead in Millennium

In 1989, Kristofferson played the male lead in the film "Millennium" with Cheryl Ladd.

1990: Highwayman 2 Success

In 1990, Kristofferson experienced success with Highwayman 2, though his solo recording career saw a decline in the early 1990s.

1995: Highwaymen End

In 1995, Kristofferson's time as a member of the supergroup the Highwaymen ended.

1996: Supporting role in Lone Star

In 1996, Kristofferson earned a supporting role in John Sayles' "Lone Star", a film nominated for an Academy Award.

1996: Revitalization of Acting Career

In 1996, Kristofferson's acting career was reinvigorated by his role in Lone Star, leading to appearances in numerous films.

1997: Co-starring in Fire Down Below

In 1997, Kristofferson co-starred in the film "Fire Down Below" with Steven Seagal.

1998: Role in Blade

In 1998, Kristofferson appeared in the film "Blade", marking a significant role in a successful film franchise.

1998: Role in Blade and Dance with Me

In 1998, Kristofferson took a role in the film "Blade" and starred in "Dance with Me".

1999: Role in Payback and Molokai

In 1999, Kristofferson co-starred with Mel Gibson in "Payback" and played rancher Rudolph Meyer in "Molokai: The Story of Father Damien".

1999: Release of The Austin Sessions and Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery

In 1999, Kristofferson released The Austin Sessions, and shortly after underwent coronary artery bypass surgery.

2001: Role in Planet of the Apes

In 2001, Kristofferson appeared in Tim Burton's "Planet of the Apes".

2002: Role in Blade II

In 2002, Kristofferson reprised his role in "Blade II".

2003: Release of Broken Freedom Song and "Spirit of Americana" Award

In 2003, Kristofferson released a live album called Broken Freedom Song and received the "Spirit of Americana" free speech award from the Americana Music Association.

2004: Role in Blade: Trinity

In 2004, Kristofferson appeared in "Blade: Trinity", marking his final appearance in the Blade film series.

October 21, 2005: Release of Dreamer

On October 21, 2005, the film Dreamer was released, featuring Kristofferson as "Pop", a retired thoroughbred horse trainer.

2006: Johnny Mercer Award and New Album Release

In 2006, Kristofferson received the Johnny Mercer Award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame and released his first album of new material in 11 years, This Old Road.

2006: Role in Disappearances

In 2006, Kristofferson starred in the film "Disappearances" with Geneviève Bujold.

July 2007: Featured on CMT's Studio 330 Sessions

In July 2007, Kristofferson was featured on CMT's Studio 330 Sessions, where he performed many of his hits.

June 13, 2008: Acoustic Performance for PBS Songwriters Series

On June 13, 2008, Kristofferson performed an acoustic in-the-round set with Patty Griffin and Randy Owen for a PBS songwriters series, taping in Nashville.

September 28, 2009: Release of Closer to the Bone

On September 28, 2009, Kristofferson released a new album of original songs titled Closer to the Bone.

December 2009: Participation in Ghost Brothers of Darkland County

In December 2009, Kristofferson was announced as portraying Joe in the upcoming album Ghost Brothers of Darkland County, a collaboration between John Mellencamp and Stephen King.

May 11, 2010: Release of Publishing Demos

On May 11, 2010, Light in the Attic Records released Kristofferson's demo recordings from his janitorial stint at Columbia, titled Please Don't Tell Me How the Story Ends: The Publishing Demos.

2010: Voice Acting in Fallout: New Vegas

In 2010, Kristofferson voiced Chief Hanlon of the NCR Rangers in the video game Fallout: New Vegas.

June 4, 2011: Solo Acoustic Show in Maui

On June 4, 2011, Kristofferson performed a solo acoustic show at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center, featuring original hits and newer songs.

2011: Role in Dolphin Tale

In 2011, Kristofferson co-starred in the film "Dolphin Tale".

2012: Role in Joyful Noise

In 2012, Kristofferson appeared in "Joyful Noise" with Dolly Parton.

2013: Roles in The Motel Life and Angels Sing

In 2013, Kristofferson co-starred in "The Motel Life" and "Angels Sing" with Willie Nelson and Lyle Lovett.

2013: Release of Feeling Mortal

In early 2013, Kristofferson released a new album of original songs called Feeling Mortal.

September 2014: Release of An Evening With Kris Kristofferson

In September 2014, Kristofferson released a live album titled An Evening With Kris Kristofferson.

2014: Role in Dolphin Tale 2

In 2014, Kristofferson co-starred in the sequel, "Dolphin Tale 2".

October 23, 2015: Announcement of The Cedar Creek Sessions

On October 23, 2015, Kristofferson revealed that he recorded a new album, The Cedar Creek Sessions, in Austin.

June 17, 2016: Release of The Cedar Creek Sessions

On June 17, 2016, Kristofferson released The Cedar Creek Sessions. It was his last studio album released during his lifetime.

2017: Covered "Turpentine" on Cover Stories

In 2017, Kristofferson covered Brandi Carlile's "Turpentine" on the album Cover Stories.

August 2018: Release of Final Film Blaze

In August 2018, Kristofferson's final film, Blaze, was released.

June 2019: Supporting Artist for Barbra Streisand Concert

In June 2019, Kristofferson was announced as one of the supporting artists for Barbra Streisand's European concert in London's Hyde Park.

January 2021: Retirement Announcement

In January 2021, Kristofferson announced his retirement from performing, citing age and COVID-19 concerns.

April 29, 2023: Final Performance

On April 29, 2023, Kristofferson gave his final performance in Los Angeles at the Hollywood Bowl, singing a cover of "Lovin' You Was Easier" with Rosanne Cash in honor of Willie Nelson's 90th birthday.