Country legend Kris Kristofferson dies aged 88

'When you see a rainbow, know he's smiling down on us all'

A representative announced he had passed away "peacefully" on Saturday at his home in Hawaii, surrounded by family.

The statement said Kristofferson was a "peacenik, a revolutionary, an actor, a superstar, a sex symbol, and a family man."

The singer achieved worldwide fame for his songwriting, becoming one of the most recognisable faces and voices in the country music.

His most famous songs included Me and Bobby McGee, Help Me Make It Through the Night, and Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down.

During his career he worked with fellow country titan Johnny Cash, won three Grammys for best country song and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2004.

A message from his family following his death said they were all "so blessed" for the time they had with him.

"Thank you for loving him all these many years, and when you see a rainbow, know he’s smiling down at us all,” said the message, CBS News reports.

“When I got started, I was one of the people hoping to bring respect to country music,” he said, according to the family message.

“Some of the songs I had that got to be hits did that. I imagine that’s why somebody might vote me into a Hall of Fame. I know it’s not because of my golden throat.”

Paying tribute to Kristofferson, the head of the Country Hall of Fame and Museum, Kyle Young, said he left behind “a resounding legacy”.

He wrote on X: “Kris Kristofferson believed creativity is God-given, and those who ignore such a gift are doomed to unhappiness. He preached that a life of the mind gives voice to the soul, and his work gave voice not only to his soul but to ours.”

Along with his music also had a successful acting career, most notably starring in 1976 film A Star Is Born opposite Barbara Streisand, a role for which he won a Golden Globe.

Streisand shared a tribute on Instagram to her co-star, in which she said the first time she saw him perform was "something special."

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