Johnny Robert Kristofferson is the son of a prominent American singer, actor, and songwriter, Kris Kristofferson. He is known for penning down some of the hit songs including “Me and Bobby McGee”, “For the Good Times”, “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down”, and “Help Me Make It Through the Night”. He also gained popularity as an actor by appearing in Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid (1973), Blume in Love (1973), Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore (1974), Convoy (1978), Heaven’s Gate (1980), Stagecoach (1986), Lone Star (1996), and the Blade film trilogy (1998â2004). His star was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2004. He won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor for his performance in the 1976 film A Star Is Born.
He formed the country music supergroup The Highwaymen with Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and Johnny Cash in 1985. The group played a significant role in popularizing outlaw country music in the 1980s.
Johnny Robert Kristoffersonâs Family Background
Johnnyâs father Kristoffer Kristofferson was born in Brownsville, Texas. His father Lars Henry Kristofferson, was a U.S. Air Force major general, while her mother Mary Ann was a home maker. His paternal grandparents had immigrated to the U.S. from Sweden, and his mother was of English, Scots-Irish, German, Swiss-German, and Dutch descent.
Kris was always pushed by his family to make a career in the military, while he was drawn towards writing since childhood. He attended San Mateo High School and Pomona College. During college, he published several essays in The Atlantic Monthly. Kristofferson received a Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford University and graduated with a B.Phil in English literature. He married his girlfriend Frances Mavia Beer in 1961 whom he dated for a long time.
Johnny Robert Kristoffersonâs CareerÂ
Despite being not interested in a military career, he joined the U.S. Army as a second lieutenant. He received flight training at Fort Rucker, Alabama. He formed a band when he was posted in West Germany as a member of the 8th Infantry Division in the 1960s and was assigned to teach English literature. However, he left the Army at the rank of captain, to follow his passion for music.
After doing some odd jobs, he managed to meet established singer Johnny Cash who helped him to record his first song “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down”, earning him Songwriter of the Year at the Country Music Association Awards in 1970. In 1971 he collaborated with Janis Joplin for “Me and Bobby McGee”, which was a number one hit on the charts for weeks.
Johnny Robert Kristoffersonâs Family Net WorthÂ
Johnnyâs father Kris Kristofferson is one of the richest songwriters and actors, having lent his words to many hit songs. Credited with significant appearances in many films, he has also been successful as a actor. Kris,86, is known to have an estimated net worth of $160 million. He has a home in Hawaii and Malibu. Out of 13 Grammy nominations, he won three along with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014. Former Army personnel is also honored with the Veteran of the Year Award in 2003 at the American Veterans Awards ceremony.
