Barbra Streisand is remembered after the death of A Star Is Born co-star Kris Kristofferson

Grammy-winning singer and actor Kris Kristofferson will be remembered as “special” by his A Star Is Born co-star Barbra Streisand following his death at the age of 88.

The US country star died “peacefully” at his home in Maui, Hawaii, surrounded by his family on Saturday, a representative confirmed.

“We are all so blessed for our time with him,” a family statement said.

“Thank you for loving him for all these many years, and when you see a rainbow, you know he’s smiling down on us all.”

Kristofferson left an indelible mark on fans throughout his six-decade career and became a leading figure in country music. He won the 1972 Grammy for Best Country Song for “Help Me Make It Through the Night” as well as two Grammy-winning duets with his ex-wife Rita Coolidge in 1974 and 1976.

He also graced the screen, winning a Golden Globe for his portrayal of destructive rocker John Norman Howard opposite Streisand’s Esther Hoffman in the 1976 remake of A Star Is Born.

When she first saw him perform, Streisand said on Instagram, “I knew he was special.”

“Barefoot and strumming his guitar, he seemed the perfect choice for a script I developed that eventually became A Star Is Born,” she wrote.

The film won the Oscar for Best Original Song for the song titled “Evergreen.”

Streisand continued: “In the film, Kris and I sang the song ‘Evergreen,’ which I wrote for the film’s main theme, love.

“For my final concert of 2019 in London’s Hyde Park, I asked Kris to come on stage with me 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 to see him receive the recognition and love he so richly deserved.”

Other notable roles include the lead role in Martin Scorsese’s 1974 Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore with Ellen Burstyn, the 1979 drama Freedom Road with boxing champion Muhammad Ali, and the 1980s drama Heaven’s Gate with Jeff Bridges and Christopher Walken.

He also starred in Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid, Lone Star and the Blade series.

Kristofferson was born in 1936 to an Air Force major general and served as an Army Ranger, flying helicopters in the U.S. Army during his own tour of duty.

He also studied literature at Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar after completing his undergraduate studies at Pomona College in California.

Kristofferson later turned his career to music and moved to Nashville to work as a professional songwriter.

He then wrote standards such as “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down,” which became a hit for Johnny Cash; For The Good Times, covered by Ray Price; and “Me And Bobby McGee,” a successful rendition of Janis Joplin.

In 1985, Kristofferson formed a supergroup called The Highwaymen along with Cash, Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson.

Among the musicians who paid tribute to Kristofferson was US country star Dolly Parton, who wrote on Instagram: “What a great loss.

“What a great author. What a great actor. What a great friend.

“I will always love you, Dolly.”

US singer and actress Reba McEntire posted a picture of the couple laughing on stage and described Kristofferson as “one of my favorite people”.

“What a gentleman, a kind soul and a lover of words. I’m so happy to meet him and be around him,” she added.

US star LeAnn Rimes also described him in her Instagram story as “an epic person with the biggest heart”.

In 2004, Kristofferson was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Country Music Hall of Fame executive director Kyle Young wrote on

“He preached that a spiritual life gives voice to the soul, and his work gave voice not only to his soul but also to our soul. He leaves behind an impressive legacy.”

Kristofferson is survived by his wife Lisa, his eight children and seven grandchildren.