The late great country music legend Kris Kristofferson also boasted an impressive movie career filled with iconic roles. Although Kristofferson had already made it big with hits like “Me and Bobby McGee,” his major acting debut in 1972 signaled an important new dimension to his acclaimed career, and he continued acting consistently until shortly before his retirement in 2021. While Kristofferson sadly died in September 2024, aged 88, he left behind an impressive body of work in country music and on the big screen.
From his extraordinary acting debut in the cult classic Cisco Pike to his final role as country musician Blaze Foley’s father in Ethan Hawke’s insightful biopic Blaze, Kristofferson proved himself a talented actor capable of imbuing his roles with his real emotive power. With iconic portrayals in Westerns like Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid and the dramatic rollercoaster that was A Star Is Born, Kristofferson possessed a unique cinematic charm and undeniable onscreen charisma. As a legendary figure who left an important mark on pop culture, Kristofferson’s acting career deserves the same acclaim as his musical endeavors.
10 Convoy (1978)
Kris Kristofferson as Martin ‘Rubber Duck’ Penwald
Convoy was a road action comedy based on a novelty song by C. W. McCall and released right in the midst of the CB radio and trucking craze in America. Alongside releases like Smokey and the Bandit and Movin’ On, Convoy was a tongue-in-cheek exercise in pure Americana made by none other than Western movie legend Sam Peckinpah, the director of The Wild Bunch, who previously worked with Kris Kristofferson on Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid. Kristofferson played the trucker Martin “Rubber Duck” Penwald facing off against a deceitful, money-extorting sheriff.
Upon release, Convoy was a commercial success that has since gained a cult following. It was true American mythmaking as it showcased the beautiful romance of the open road and a free-living, no-holds-barred attitude. Kristofferson and a strong cast that also included Ernest Borgnine and Burt Young helped elevate Convoy out of its genre film confines with moments of real intensity. At its best, Convoy was an excellent artifact of a moment in pop culture during the short-lived CB radio and trucker craze of the mid-to-late 1970s.
9 Blaze (2018)
Kris Kristofferson as Edwin Fuller
It feels entirely appropriate that Kris Kristofferson’s final role be in a biopic of his fellow country music legend, the late Blaze Foley. Directed by Ethan Hawke, Blaze was an unconventional biopic that gave a bittersweet glimpse into Foley’s life and legacy. With an incredible lead performance by musician Ben Dickey, who played Foley, Kristofferson portrayed Blaze’s father, Edwin Fuller. Through a mix of scenes showcasing Foley’s life and career, interviews with his friends, and a look at his final show in Austin, Texas, Blaze was a touching tribute that avoided the cradle-to-grave trappings of so many other biopics.
As a highly underrated musician whose philosophy and homespun wisdom can be powerfully felt through the music he left behind, this film perfectly complements the documentary Blaze Foley: Duct Tape Messiah as the ideal double bill to turn new listeners on to Foley’s music. Featuring Sam Rockwell, Richard Linklater, and Steve Zahn appearances, Blaze even included Charlie Sexton as Foley’s close friend and fellow country legend Townes Van Zandt. With so many connections to the legacy of country music, the final appearance of Kristofferson in a fatherly role was just the cherry on top.
8 Lone Star (1996)
Kris Kristofferson as Charlie Wade
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Lone Star RDramaMysteryRomance
Lone Star, directed by John Sayles, is a mystery drama set in a small Texas border town. The discovery of a decades-old skeleton triggers an investigation by Sheriff Sam Deeds, played by Chris Cooper, who uncovers long-buried secrets involving his father, the former sheriff. The film explores themes of identity, legacy, and the complex interrelations within a multicultural community. Matthew McConaughey and Elizabeth Peña are also prominently featured.
Director John Sayles Release Date June 21, 1996 Studio(s) Castle Rock Entertainment , Rio Dulce , Sony Pictures Classics Writers John Sayles Cast Chris Cooper , Matthew McConaughey , Elizabeth Peña , Kris Kristofferson , Joe Morton Runtime 135 Minutes Budget 5000000.0 Main Genre Drama Expand
From writer and director John Sayles, Lone Star was an effective neo-Western mystery about a new sheriff investigating the murder of one of his predecessors. With an impressive cast including Chris Cooper, Matthew McConaughey, Frances McDormand, and Kris Kristofferson, Lone Star deconstructed the idea of borders, both literal and figurative, as a border town along the U.S.-Mexico border deals with racial, generational, and cultural tensions. Kristofferson played the murdered sheriff, Charlie Wade, an infamously cruel and corrupt figure.
Lone Star was a thoughtful film full of fine performances that signaled a high point in Sayles’s directing career. Mixing social concerns with high-stakes tension, this Western took a confrontational look at small-town prejudices and the rigid segregations that knowingly and unconsciously take over towns. Lone Star highlighted how many fractured identities make up America and showcased the psychological boundaries and territorial anxieties that keep them from ever truly coming together in unity.
7 I’m Not There (2007)
Kris Kristofferson as The Narrator
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5/10 I’m Not There RBiographyDrama
An innovative biographical film that reimagines the life of Bob Dylan through six distinct characters, each symbolizing a different phase of his career and personality. Portrayed by a diverse cast including Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett, and Heath Ledger, these characters navigate through the various transformations of Dylan’s life—from his early days as a folk singer to his electric phase and beyond.
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*Availability in US Director Todd Haynes Release Date October 1, 2007 Writers Todd Haynes , Oren Moverman Cast Cate Blanchett , Ben Whishaw , Christian Bale , Richard Gere , Marcus Carl Franklin , Heath Ledger Runtime 135 minutes Main Genre Biography Expand
Although Kris Kristofferson is an all-time music legend in his own right, he’s also taken the time, on more than one occasion, to highlight the lives and legacies of his contemporaries. One effective example of this was as the Narrator of the unusual Bob Dylan biopic I’m Not There, a highly original film by Todd Haynes that casts six different actors to portray different facets of Dylan’s persona. With Cate Blanchett in a transformative role embodying Dylan during the mid-1960s, I’m Not There showcased that biopics don’t need to be held back by the trappings of conventional narrative expectations.
While Kristofferson’s role was minimal in I’m Not There, it was exciting to hear his voice extol the legacy of Dylan, his former Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid co-star. I’m Not There utilized archetypes to capture the essence of Dylan’s legacy and began with the cryptic caption “inspired by the music and the many lives of Bob Dylan.” While I’m Not There may feel too referential and meta for the casual viewer, to die-hard Dylan fans, it’s an absolute must-watch movie.
6 Blade (1998)
Kris Kristofferson as Abraham Whistler
Blade
The Blade franchise is a series of action-horror films centered around the character Blade, a half-vampire, half-human “Daywalker” who hunts vampires. The franchise is credited with paving the way for modern superhero films, combining elements of martial arts, gothic horror, and comic book lore. The original trilogy starred Wesley Snipes as Blade and was a significant success, leading to a renewed interest in comic book adaptations. The franchise is set to be rebooted within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), with Mahershala Ali taking over the role of Blade.
Created by David S. Goyer , Stephen Norrington , Guillermo del Toro First Film Blade Latest Film Deadpool & Wolverine Upcoming Films Blade (2025) First TV Show Blade: The Series Latest TV Show Blade: The Series First Episode Air Date June 28, 2006 Cast Wesley Snipes , Mahershala Ali , Kris Kristofferson , Stephen Dorff , Ron Perlman , Jessica Biel , Ryan Reynolds , Parker Posey Spin-offs Blade: The Series TV Show(s) Blade: The Series Character(s) Blade , Abraham Whistler , Deacon Frost , Hannibal King Video Game(s) Marvel’s Blade
Summary
The Blade franchise is a series of action-horror films centered around the character Blade, a half-vampire, half-human “Daywalker” who hunts vampires. The franchise is credited with paving the way for modern superhero films, combining elements of martial arts, gothic horror, and comic book lore. The original trilogy starred Wesley Snipes as Blade and was a significant success, leading to a renewed interest in comic book adaptations. The franchise is set to be rebooted within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), with Mahershala Ali taking over the role of Blade.
Expand
As Marvel’s first truly successful superhero film, Blade showcased the viability of a dark and serious take on comic book stories a full decade before the Marvel Cinematic Universe. With Wesley Snipes as the titular anti-hero, Eric Brooks/Blade, a half-vampire Dhampir who uses his incredible martial arts skills to hunt vampires. Kris Kristofferson played his mentor, father figure, and weaponsmith Abraham Whistler in this highly engaging and visually stylish film, which led to the release of an entire trilogy, with Kristofferson reprising his role in each film.
Blade was a violent and visceral, fast-paced action movie that effectively introduced audiences to the seedy underbelly of its vampiric society. Kristofferson’s character introduces the central concept of a war being waged against vampires as Blade utilizes weapons based on their elemental weaknesses, such as sunlight, silver, and garlic. With impressive worldbuilding and a litany of engaging comic book characters, it’s no surprise the popularity of Blade has led to Snipes being cast to reprise his role in the MCU movie Deadpool & Wolverine.
5 Heaven’s Gate (1980)
Kris Kristofferson as Jim Averill
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Heaven’s Gate RWesternAdventureDrama
Sheriff James Averill tries to protect immigrant farmers from wealthy cattle barons in 1890s Wyoming. Conflict intensifies as Averill and a mercenary, Nathan Champion, both vie for the affection of Ella Watson, a local madam. The escalating tensions culminate in a brutal battle that questions their roles and the harsh realities of the American frontier.
Director Michael Cimino Release Date November 18, 1980 Studio(s) Partisan Productions Distributor(s) United Artists Writers Michael Cimino Cast Kris Kristofferson , Christopher Walken , John Hurt , Sam Waterston , Brad Dourif , Isabelle Huppert , Jeff Bridges , Joseph Cotten Runtime 219 Minutes Budget $44 Million Main Genre Western Expand
As one of the most lambasted movies of the 1980s, the critical backlash to Michael Cimino’s Heaven’s Gate led to the film being pulled from theaters early. Condemned as one of the worst movies ever made, film historian Peter Biskind attributed this epic Western to the demise of director-driven films in Hollywood and a reason studios started to take back control of film production during the 1980s. With an original running time of almost five and a half hours, Cimino was forced to re-edit and release Heaven’s Gate at 219 minutes.
While Heaven’s Gate was considered a disaster for its star, Kris Kristofferson, in the years since the movie has been reappraised, and subsequent re-releases of the film led to it being lauded as an underappreciated masterpiece. Telling an epic story about a dispute between land barons and European migrants during the 1890s, Heaven’s Gate was a highly ambitious and wildly overbudgeted follow-up to Cimino’s The Deer Hunter. Although its failure sadly derailed Cimino’s directing career, looking back, Heaven’s Gate remains a fascinatingly divisive addition to Kristofferson’s filmography.
4 Pat Garrett And Billy The Kid (1973)
Kris Kristofferson as Billy the Kid
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Pat Garrett And Billy The Kid RWestern
Pat Garrett, a sheriff determined to bring order to the West, is pitted against his former friend, the infamous Billy the Kid. As Garrett hunts him, they both grapple with memories of their past camaraderie and the choices that have set them on opposing paths.
Director Sam Peckinpah Release Date May 23, 1973 Studio(s) Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Distributor(s) Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Writers Rudy Wurlitzer Cast James Coburn , Kris Kristofferson , bob dylan , Jason Robards , Katy Jurado , Chill Wills Runtime 122 Minutes Budget $4.64 Million Expand
The revisionist Western Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid brought together country music legend Kris Kristofferson with folk music icon Bob Dylan in a highly underrated release by Western filmmaking extraordinaire Sam Peckinpah. With music by Dylan, who also played a supporting role in the film, Pat Garrett was notable for Dylan’s accompanying soundtrack album, which included “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door,” one of the singer’s best-known songs. Telling the real story of lawman Pat Garrett’s attempts and eventual success in taking out the notorious outlaw Billy the Kid (Kristofferson), at its core, Pat Garrett was a story of unlikable friendship.
While today Pat Garrett has earned a reputation as a high point in both Peckinpah and Kristofferson’s careers, it was badly received at the time as its theatrical version was re-edited and released without Peckinpah’s oversight. Finally, after years of rumors about the existence of a much superior cut of the movie, Peckinpah’s preview cut was released to great acclaim in 1988. This is now considered the definitive version and is rightfully praised as one of the best Westerns of the 1970s.
3 Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore (1974)
Kris Kristofferson as David
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Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore PGDramaRomance
Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore is a drama directed by Martin Scorsese, featuring Ellen Burstyn as Alice Hyatt, a widow who embarks on a journey to restart her life. Joined by her son, Alice pursues her dream of becoming a singer while navigating various personal and professional challenges. The film explores themes of resilience and self-discovery in the context of 1970s America.
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*Availability in US Director Martin Scorsese Release Date December 9, 1974 Writers Robert Getchell Cast Ellen Burstyn , Kris Kristofferson , Mia Bendixsen , Alfred Lutter III , Billy Green Bush , Lelia Goldoni , Ola Moore , Harry Northup Character(s) Alice Hyatt , David , Alice – Age 8 , Tommy , Donald , Bea , Old Woman , Joe & Jim’s Bartender Runtime 112 Minutes Main Genre Drama Expand
Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore was an extraordinary anomaly in Martin Scorsese’s filmmaking career, as it was his only film that was led by a female protagonist. With Ellen Burstyn as the widowed Alice traveling across the Southwestern United States with her preteen son in search of a better life, this powerful story of domestic challenges saw Alice encounter difficulties in her work, relationships, and ambition to become a successful singer. Kris Kristofferson played David, a Mel and Ruby’s Cafe customer who eventually became Alice’s love interest.
With a deeply engaging lead character whose constant life struggles make it impossible not to empathize with her, Burstyn gives an exceptional performance as Alice. Kristofferson’s role was also a highlight as he offered a kinder alternative to the abusive men, such as Harvey Keitel’s role as the aggressive love interest Ben, seen earlier in the film. While Scorsese’s previous movie Mean Streets showcased his lauded talent in the gangster genre, Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore proved he was a director willing to try new things and was unafraid of variety.
2 Cisco Pike (1972)
Kris Kristofferson as Cisco Pike
Kris Kristofferson made his major acting debut as the title character in Cisco Pike, playing a musician who, after falling on hard times, was forced to sell marijuana to get by. However, Cisco soon finds himself blackmailed by a corrupt police officer (Gene Hackman), who forces him to sell 100 kilos of confiscated marijuana in one weekend. While Cisco Pike flopped at the box office, it has since built up a reputation as a cult classic and as a powerful showcase of Kristofferson’s then-untapped movie star potential.
Cisco Pike was officially unavailable for many decades and circulated primarily due to bootlegged copies until it was eventually released on DVD in 2006. Since then, Cisco Pike has been praised as an important release in the New Hollywood movement whose non-linear story was misunderstood at the time. As an excellent start to Kristofferson’s acting career, Cisco Pike would be the first of many roles where he played a down-on-his-luck country musician.
1 A Star Is Born (1976)
Kris Kristofferson as John Norman Howard
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A Star Is Born (1976) RDramaMusicRomance
A Star Is Born (1976) stars Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson in a romantic drama centered around an established rock star who discovers and falls in love with a talented, up-and-coming singer. Directed by Frank Pierson, the film explores themes of fame, addiction, and the personal costs of success in the music industry.
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*Availability in US Director Frank Pierson Release Date December 19, 1976 Studio(s) First Artists , Barwood Films Distributor(s) Warner Bros. Writers Frank Pierson , John Gregory Dunne , Joan Didion Cast Barbra Streisand , Kris Kristofferson , Gary Busey , Paul Mazursky , Joanne Linville , Oliver Clark Runtime 140 Minutes Budget $6 Million Expand
A Star Is Born tells the timeless story of lovestruck musicians falling for one another while one’s career falters as the other’s skyrockets. This story has been told and retold several times, as the 1934 original was remade in 1954, then in the 1970s with Kris Kristofferson and Barbra Streisand, before the most recent 2018 version with Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga. In the 1970s version, Kristofferson played the rock n’ roll star John Norman Howard, who falls for the up-and-coming singer Esther Hoffman (Streisand.)
With two iconic musicians at the helm, A Star Is Born represented the very best of Kristofferson’s film career as it perfectly brought together his musical talents with his innate screen presence and charisma. Kristofferson brought pathos and emotion to his character’s career decline as Streisand’s incredible star power is realized. While modern viewers may think of Cooper and Gaga when they hear the title A Star Is Born, Kris Kristofferson and Streisand laid the foundations for its winning formula.