Barbra Streisand pays tribute to Kris Kristofferson following his death... 48 years after they starred in A Star Is Born: 'He was something special'

Barbra Streisand shared a touching tribute to her A Star is Born co-star Kris Kristofferson, after he passed away on Saturday.

Streisand, 82, took to Instagram on Sunday, sharing a nostalgic image of the A Star is Born album cover, released in 1976 along with the film, and a more recent photo of her and the country singer-songwriter and actor performing together. 

'The first time I saw Kris performing at the Troubadour club in L.A. I knew he was something special,' she wrote in the caption.

'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 the movie, Kris and I sang the song I'd written for the film's main love theme, “Evergreen.”'

'For my latest concert in 2019 at London’s Hyde Park, I asked Kris to join me on-stage 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 seeing him receive the recognition and love he so richly deserved.'

She concluded her post by offering condolences to Kristofferson's family. 

'My thoughts go to Kris' wife, Lisa who I know supported him in every way possible.'

Kristofferson played the role of troubled rocker John Norman Howard in the 1976 A Star Is Born remake opposite Streisand. 

He won the Golden Globe in 1977 for his work in the film.

The 1976 version of A Star is Born, which has been remade four times, featured the No. 1 track, 'Love Theme From A Star is Born,' written by Streisand.

The song won Streisand a Grammy award in 1978, and an Oscar award for Best Original Song at the 1977 Academy Awards.

The film received four Golden Globe awards in 1977.

The iconic movie was recently remade in 2018 and starred Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper in the lead roles.

The multitalented entertainer died Saturday at his Maui, Hawaii home, his rep told People.

Kristofferson 'peacefully' passed away surrounded by relatives.

'It is with a heavy heart that we share the news our husband/father/grandfather, Kris Kristofferson, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 28 at home,' his family said in a statement, the outlet reported. 'We're all so blessed for our time 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.'

Kristofferson's other major acting endeavors include a turn as the character Whistler in the Wesley Snipes action films Blade (1998), Blade II (2002) and Blade: Trilogy (2004).

He also starred opposite Ellen Burstyn in director Martin Scorsese's 1974 film Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore.

Hollywood may have saved his music career. He still got exposure through his film and television appearances even when he couldn't afford to tour with a full band.

His musical career began in the late 1960s, as the Brownsville, Texas native wrote such classics standards as Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down, Help Me Make it Through the Night, For the Good Times and Me and Bobby McGee.

Kristofferson was a singer himself, but many of his songs were best known as performed by others, whether Ray Price crooning For the Good Times or Janis Joplin belting out Me and Bobby McGee.

Kristofferson, who could recite William Blake from memory, wove intricate folk music lyrics about loneliness and tender romance into popular country music. 

Hits that Kristofferson recorded include Why Me, Loving Her Was Easier (Than Anything I'll Ever Do), Watch Closely Now, Desperados Waiting for a Train, A Song I'd Like to Sing and Jesus Was a Capricorn.

'There's no better songwriter alive than Kris Kristofferson,' Willie Nelson said during a November 2009 award ceremony for Kristofferson held by BMI. 'Everything he writes is a standard and we're all just going to have to live with that.'

At times, the legend of Kristofferson was larger than real life. Johnny Cash liked to tell a mostly exaggerated story of how Kristofferson, a former U.S. Army pilot, landed a helicopter on Cash's lawn to give him a tape of Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down' with a beer in one hand.

Over the years in interviews, Kristofferson said with all respect to Cash, while he did land a helicopter at Cash's house, the Man in Black wasn't even home at the time, the demo tape was a song that no one ever actually cut and he certainly couldn't fly a helicopter holding a beer.

In a 2006 interview with The Associated Press, he said he might not have had a career without Cash.

'Shaking his hand when I was still in the Army backstage at the Grand Ole Opry was the moment I'd decided I'd come back,' Kristofferson said. 'It was electric. He kind of took me under his wing before he cut any of my songs. He cut my first record that was record of the year. He put me on stage the first time.'

Kristofferson retired from performing and recording in 2021, making only occasional guest appearances on stage.

As news spread of his passing, a number of people and institutions paid memorial to Kristofferson online.

Dolly Parton wrote, 'What a great loss. What a great writer. What a great actor. What a great friend. I will always love you, Dolly.' 

Country artist Travis Tritt said, 'Sad to hear of Kris Kristofferson’s passing. He was an inspiration to me and I was fortunate to get to know him on the set of Outlaw Justice that we filmed in Spain in 1998. My heartfelt condolences go out to Kris’s wife Lisa and all of his family, friends and fans.'

Country artist John Rich said, 'So sad to hear Kris Kristofferson has passed. He and I became friends over the years, and it was a distinct honor every time I got to work or hang out with him. He was one of the greatest lyricists to ever live, and a true class act. He set the bar so very high. Miss ya brother.'