Who was Kris Kristofferson? What to know about Nashville artist, movie star's legacy

Kris Kristofferson, the beloved singer-songwriter and actor behind tunes "Me and Bobby McGee" and "Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down," died on Saturday at 88 years old.

Throughout his career, the member of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame released over 20 albums, won three Grammy Awards and appeared in over 40 films.

Kristofferson has been lauded as a legendary Renaissance man: an Army helicopter pilot, Rhodes scholar, Golden Gloves boxer, literature enthusiast, footballer, silver screen stud and one of the most prolific songwriters of our time.

As we remember Kristofferson's life and legacy, here's what to know about the late legend.

More: Kris Kristofferson, legendary songwriting master, dead at 88

Kris Kristofferson born into military family, served in military before writing songs

Kristofferson was born in 1936 in Brownsville, Texas into a military family that moved often. His family settled in California and in '54 and Kristofferson attended Pomona College, studying English.

He gradated in 1958 and was awarded The Rhodes Scholarship, a prestigious grant that allowed him to study British literature at Oxford. He returned to the U.S. and followed in his father's footsteps, serving in the Army and eventually becoming a helicopter pilot.

In '65, Kristofferson was commissioned to teach literature at West Point. He ended up choosing to Nashville to pursue a music career instead.

How did Kris Kristofferson start his music career? What songs did he write?

One of Kristofferson's service member peers had a songwriter cousin. Kristofferson reached out to his industry contact Marijohn Wilkin, who also worked as a publisher in Nashville, and sent her some of his music.

Kristofferson had a passion for music from a young age, listening to Hank Williams on the radio and writing his own songs starting at 11 years old.

Kristofferson chose to move to Nashville — a decision that caused his family to disown him — in 1965, finding a job as a janitor at Columbia Studios and pitching songs when he wasn't working. In '69, Johnny Cash recorded his song "Sunday Morning Coming Down."

The rest was history.

What songs did Kris Kristofferson write? Who recorded his songs?

Kristofferson is well-known for writing songs “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down,” “Help Me Make it Through the Night,” “For the Good Times” and “Me and Bobby McGee.”

Singers Janis Joplin, Roger Miller, Al Green, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Sammi Smith, Ray Price, Gladys Knight, Emmylou Harris and Ronnie Milsap have performed Kristofferson's tunes.

What musical group was Kris Kristofferson a part of?

Kristofferson was part of the musical group The Highwaymen, which he formed in the '80s alongside Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings.

The country supergroup is known for songs "Highwayman," "American Remains" and "Silver Stallion."

Kristofferson also recorded song with his second wife, singer Rita Coolidge, as well as solo songs and albums.

More: Kris Kristofferson remembered by Dolly Parton, Eric Church, more

What films did Kris Kristofferson star in?

Throughout his lifetime, Kristofferson appeared in at least 48 films.

Kristofferson starred in Martin Scorsese's 1974 film "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore" with Ellen Burstyn.

In 1976, Kristofferson played opposite Barbra Streisand in "A Star Is Born." In '98, he appeared in Marvel film "Blade" with Wesley Snipes.

Kristofferson also performed in "Dolphin Tale" and "He's Just Not That In To You."

What was Kris Kristofferson's cause of death? Age?

Kristofferson died at 88 years old at his Maui, Hawaii home.

The family's spokeswoman Ebie McFarland said Kristofferson died peacefully, surrounded by family. No cause of death has been reported.

In his mid 70s, Kristofferson began experiencing memory loss, which doctors believed to be dementia or Alzheimer's disease.

In 2016, Kristofferson was diagnosed with Lyme disease, his wife shared, which can also cause memory issues.

Who was Kris Kristofferson's wife? How many children did he have?

Kristofferson was married to his third wife, Lisa Meyers, for 41 years. The two wed in 1983 and lived in Maui, Hawaii.

Kristofferson had eight children: Tracy, Kris Jr., Casey, Jesse, Jody, Johnny, Kelly Marie and Blake. Kristofferson shared kids Tracy and Kris Jr. with his first wife, Frances Beer, and daughter Casey with singer Rita Coolidge — who he was married to for seven years.

After marrying celebrity hair stylist Lisa Meyers, the couple welcomed sons Jesse, Jody, Johnny and Blake.

To learn more about Kris Kristofferson, visit kriskristofferson.com .

Audrey Gibbs is a music reporter at The Tennessean. You can reach her at agibbs@tennessean.com.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Who was Kris Kristofferson? What to know about Nashville artist, movie star's legacy