Martin Scorsese: Directing Kris Kristofferson in ‘Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore’ Was ‘One of the Highlights of My Life’

Martin Scorsese is honoring late star Kris Kristofferson with a special tribute.

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The auteur, who collaborated with Kristofferson on 1974 film “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore,” shared a statement with IndieWire remembering the legendary singer/songwriter. Kristofferson died at age 88 on September 29.

“Right now, I’m on a small boat between Ustica and Palermo, listening to ‘Me and Bobby McGee,’ remembering Kris Kristofferson. Just like half of the world,” Scorsese said. “I was lucky enough to work with Kris. He was a poet. Truly. Inside and out. And a damn good actor, a remarkable screen presence.”

Scorsese continued, “Spending time with Kris when we made ‘Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore’ was one of the highlights of my life. What a sweet, warm family spirit we all shared on that picture — Ellen Burstyn, Diane Ladd, Alfred Lutter, and Jodie Foster, both so young, and Kris. His presence…the voice, the cool, benign manner, the way he moved…Onscreen or in person, he brought all of himself. He gave so much heart and humor to his character, and to all of our days shooting in Tucson. What a beautiful human being. What a great artist.”

Kristofferson also led Westerns such as “Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid,” as well as appeared in the “Blade” trilogy alongside Wesley Snipes. Kristofferson most famously won a Golden Globe award for leading 1976’s “A Star Is Born” alongside Barbra Streisand.

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Streisand took to social media to honor Kristofferson after his passing.

“The first time I saw Kris performing at the Troubadour Club in L.A. I knew he was something special,” EGOT-winning star Streisand wrote. “Barefoot and strumming his guitar, he seemed like the perfect choice for a script I was developing, which eventually became ‘A Star Is Born.’ In the movie, Kris and I sang the song I’d written for the film’s main love theme, ‘Evergreen.’ For my latest concert in 2019 at London’s Hyde Park, I asked Kris to join me onstage to sing our other ‘A Star Is Born’ duet, ‘Lost Inside Of You.’ He was as charming as ever, and the audience showered him with applause. It was a joy seeing him receive the recognition and love he so richly deserved. My thoughts go to Kris’ wife, Lisa, who I know supported him in every way possible.”

Read the IndieWire obituary for Kristofferson here.