Kris Kristofferson, prolific songwriter and superstar actor, dies at 88

Kris Kristofferson died at his home on Maui , Hawaii , on Saturday , a family spokeswoman says.

Kristoferson was a Rhodes scholar with a deft writing style and rough charisma.

He starred opposite Ellen Burstyn in director Martin Scorsese ’s 1974 film “ Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore’ He also starred opposite Barbra Streisand in the 1976 “ A Star Is Born” and acted alongside Wesley Snipes in Marvel 's “ Blade ”.

Kristofferson said he was inspired to write the lyrics about a man and woman on the road together after watching the Fellini film, “ La Strada ” The Highwaymen formed with Nelson , Cash and Jennings .

The group put out just three albums between 1985 and 1995 .

His sharp-tongued political lyrics sometimes hurt his popularity.

He starred in one of Hollywood 's biggest financial flops, “ Heaven’s Gate ,” a 1980 Western.

In a rare appearance in a superhero movie, he played the mentor of Snipes ’ vampire hunter in “Blade” He described in a 2006 AP interview how he got his first acting gigs when he performed.