Kris Kristofferson

Kristofferson in 2014, photo by PrPhotos.com

Birth Name: Kristoffer Kristofferson

Date of Birth: June 22, 1936

Place of Birth: Brownsville, Cameron, Texas, U.S.

Date of Death: September 28, 2024

Place of Death: Hana, Hawaii, U.S.

Ethnicity:
*father – Swedish
*mother – English, Scots-Irish/Northern Irish, German, Swiss-German, Dutch

Kris Kristofferson was an American country music singer, songwriter, actor, and musician. He wrote the songs “For the Good Times,” “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down,” and “Help Me Make It Through the Night,” the latter of which he also sung; and co-wrote the song “Me and Bobby McGee.” He was a member of country music supergroup The Highwaymen, with Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, and Willie Nelson; which was a major force in independent, outlaw country. His roles included the films Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid, Blume in Love, Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, A Star Is Born (1976), Semi-Tough, Convoy (1978), Heaven’s Gate, Flashpoint, Songwriter (1984), Trouble in Mind, Millennium, Welcome Home (1989), Lone Star (1996), Fire Down Below, the Blade franchise, Dance with Me, A Soldier’s Daughter Never Cries, Payback, Limbo (1999), Silver City, Dolphin Tale, and its sequel; and Blaze (2018); and the made-for-tv movie Stagecoach (1986).

Kris was the son of Mary Ann (Ashbrook) and Lars Henry Kristoffer Kristofferson, a U.S. Army Air Corps officer, U.S. Air Force major general, and pilot. His father was born in Washington, to Swedish parents. His mother had English, Scots-Irish/Northern Irish, German, Swiss-German, and Dutch, ancestry. He was partly raised in San Mateo, California, after his father moved there for his military career. Kris later served in the U.S. army. Kris was married to Lisa Meyers, until his death. He had two children with his former wife Frances Beer; a daughter with his former wife, recording artist and songwriter Rita Coolidge; and five children with Lisa.

Kris’s paternal grandfather was Lars Louis Kristofferson (the son of Finn Kristoffer Kristoffersson and Kerstin Persdotter). Lars was born in Nas, Dalarna, Sweden, and was an officer in the Swedish Army. Kris’s great-grandfather Kristoffer was the son of Finn Kristoffer/Christoffer Kristofferson/Christoffersson and Anna Larsdotter. Kerstin was the daughter of Täpp Per Persson and Kerstin Esbjörnsdotter.

Kris’s paternal grandmother was Elin/Ellen Karolina/Carolina Johansson (the daughter of Johan Fredrik Johansson and Carolina Johansdotter). Elin was born in Forsvik, Undenas, Sweden. Kris’s great-grandmother Carolina was the daughter of Johannes Abrahamsson and Maria/Maja Katarina Abrahamsdotter.

Kris’s maternal grandfather was Roy Wilson Ashbrook (the son of Aaron Pence Ashbrook and Margaret Ann Whitmer Sain). Roy was born in Somerset, Ohio. Aaron was the son of Tunis Peters Ashbrook and Anna Pence, who was of German descent. Margaret was the daughter of Jacob P. Sain and Sarah L. Lehman or Catherine Hittle.

Kris’s maternal grandmother was Anna Louise Adams (the daughter of James Freeman Adams and Anna Sophia Nash). Kris’s grandmother Anna was born in Zanesville, Ohio. James was the son of James Freeman Adams and Fannie Morris, who was English. Kris’s great-grandmother Anna was the daughter of The Rev. Rodolphus/Rudolphus/Rhudolphus Kibbe Nash and Mary Anne/Ann Houston.

Sources: Genealogies of Kris Kristofferson – https://www.geni.com
https://www.findagrave.com