Kris Kristofferson (born June 22, 1936) is an influential country music songwriter, singer and actor. He is best known for hits like 'Me and Bobby McGee' and 'Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down', many of which were co-written with Shel Silverstein or Fred Foster, and his association with the late Johnny Cash. Kristofferson's first major hit as a singer was 'Why Me' in 1970. It was awarded 'Country Song of the Year'.

Almost everybody seems to have recorded his song 'Help Me Make It Through The Night' and perhaps also his song 'Me and Bobby McGee' but the latter was particularly made famous by Janis Joplin before she died. Johnny Cash probably recorded the most famous version of Kristofferson's 'Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down'. Another famous song by Kristofferson, also recorded by many, is 'For The Good Times'. Many of Kristofferson's most famous songs seem also to have come from his first LP.

Unfortunately, Kristofferson might perhaps be best known to younger generations for being a famous actor, rather than for being the great singer-songwriter he clearly has been.