Barbra Streisand Remembers Her Last Duet With Kris Kristofferson
Barbra Streisand is remembering her longtime friend and colleague Kris Kristofferson, who died on Saturday (Sept. 28).
Streisand — the EGOT-winning actress and singer who starred opposite Kristofferson in the 1976 film A Star Is Born — shared her earliest memory of him in a social media post on Sunday night (Sept. 29).
"The first time I saw Kris performing at the Troubadour club in L.A. I knew he was something special," she writes, alongside a carousel of two photos of them together over the years.
"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 addition to acting as romantic leads in the film, they also recorded music for the soundtrack, including the love theme, "Evergreen."
Read More: 10 Kris Kristofferson Songs That Changed Country Music
Kristofferson and Streisand kept in touch over the years, and their last time in the spotlight together came decades later, when he joined her as a special musical guest during a show.
"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,'" Streisand continues. "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."
Kristofferson won a Golden Globe for his portrayal of John Norman Howard in A Star Is Born, which was a remake of the 1937 original film. The country legend was always candid about how his role in that film inspired him to get sober, after he based his character's drinking habits on what he once described to People as his own "functioning alcoholic" status.
"I remember feeling that that could very easily be my wife and kids crying over me," he explained, as he recalled watching the footage before his A Star Is Born character's death scene. "I quit drinking over that. I didn't want to die before my daughter grew up."
Kristofferson and his wife Lisa — whom he met six years after the film came out — would go on to have five children together, in addition to Kristofferson's three children from previous marriages. He is also survived by seven grandchildren.
Read More: Watch Kris Kristofferson's Sob-Worthy Final Onstage Performance
As she remembered her late co-star and friend, Streisand sent her condolences to his family.
"My thoughts go to Kris' wife Lisa, who I know supported him in every way possible," she writes at the conclusion of her post.
Kristofferson's family announced his death in a statement. No cause of death was immediately available, but the family expressed gratitude for the time they had with him and for the support they felt from his many fans.
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Gallery Credit: Carena Liptak