Kris Kristofferson

Born June 22, 1936, Kris Kristofferson started by selling his songs to singers Roger Miller and Johnny Cash. His own second album in 1971 was a hit, with songs like "Help Me Make It Through The Night" and "Me and Bobby McGee." He then turned to film acting with starring roles in more than 50 films, inlcuding "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore" and "A Star Is Born."

Moving to Nashville in 1965, he struggled and took odd jobs to cover the bills, including one working as a janitor at Columbia Records. His first big break came from Roger Miller who recorded Kristofferson's song "Me and Bobby McGee." (This same song was later a rock hit for Janis Joplin in 1971.) The next country star to fall for Kristofferson's music was Johnny Cash. Cash took Kristofferson's song "Sunday Morning Coming Down" and helped make it a big hit. The song was popular with country fans and critics alike, winning the Country Music Association's song of the year award in 1970. Along with writing successful songs for others, he released his first album, Kristofferson, that same year.

Kristofferson scored with his next effort "Silver Tongued Devil and I" in 1971 with his own version of the song "Loving Her Was Easier." He received two Grammy nominations for best song for "Help Me Make It through the Night" and "Me and Bobby McGee" and a nomination for best country song for "For the Good Times" in 1971. The two received a Grammy award that same year for best country vocal performance by a duo for "From the Bottom to the Bottle." They won the same award two years later for "Love Please."

Kristofferson also found success as an actor, especially in roles that played off his outlaw image. He had his first major film role in "Cisco Pike" and went on do more than 50 films. Two of his most notable roles were in 1974's "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore" and 1976's "A Star Is Born," in which he starred opposite Barbra Streisand. Playing the part of a self-destructive musician, Kristofferson earned critical acclaim as well as a Golden Globe Award for his performance.

Kristofferson joined forces with fellow country music greats Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson as a member of the Highwaymen. This group of country superstars released four albums: Highwayman, Highwayman 2, Live! and The Road Goes On Forever. As a solo performer, he released several albums, including Repossessed and Third World Warrior, which both showcased the songwriter's views on political and social issues, such as the U.S. military involvement in Central America.

With his film work often overshadowing his musical talents, this living legend finally received his due in 2004 when he was inducted to the Country Music Hall of Fame. In 2006, Kristofferson released This Old Road, his first studio album in eleven years. Billboard magazine selected it as a critic's choice. He also released the album Live at Austin, Texas that same year.

While he has yet release a new studio album since then, Kristofferson has very active in film. He has appeared in "Fast Food Nation," "Disappearances," "The Wendell Baker Story" and "Beer for My Horses." Kristofferson also served as the narrator for Todd Haynes' offbeat film on Bob Dylan, "I'm Not There." In 2009, the multitalented performer was in the romantic comedy "He's Just Not That Into You" starring Jennifer Aniston.