TCM’s ‘Remembering Kris Kristofferson’ Honors the Musician and Actor Tonight
Actor, singer-songwriter and outlaw country pioneer Kris Kristofferson passed away at the age of 88 on Sept. 28, 2024. And tonight, Jan. 13, 2025, TCM pays tribute to his talents with a mini-marathon of five films, starting at 8pm. The lineup shows off Kristofferson’s versatility as an an actor in everything from romances to political thrillers — and a few even show off his vocal talents, too.
All times EST.
8pm: Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore (1974)
Everett Collection
The name “Martin Scorsese” may bring to mind Mafiosos and tough guys — but he also directed this romantic dramedy which stars Ellen Burstyn as widow who’s looking to start over and revisit her dreams of becoming a singer. Kristofferson plays David, the divorced rancher with whom Alice begins to tentatively forge a relationship. Burstyn won a Best Actress Oscar for her role, and the film was later adapted into the wildly successful CBS sitcom Alice.
10pm: A Star Is Born (1976)
A STAR IS BORN, Kris Kristofferson, 1976
Kristofferson and Barbra Streisand team up in this remake of the classic film about a fading star and the young ingenue he takes under his wing. This version, updated for the rock ‘n’ roll ’70s, was co-written by literary icon Joan Didion and her husband, John Gregory Dunne.
12:30am: Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid (1973)
Everett Collection
Sam Peckinpah directed this revisionist Western; James Coburn plays Sheriff Pat Garrett, who is looking to bring down his old frenemy, Billy the Kid (Kristofferson). The film might be most famous for its Bob Dylan-penned score, which was Kristofferson’s doing — Peckinpah had no idea who Dylan was when Kristofferson brought him in to the film to write the film’s title song. But he was moved by the song Dylan played him, and brought him on to write the soundtrack, which included the hit, “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door.”
2:30am: Blume in Love (1973)
Everett Collection
George Segal plays the title character, a Beverly Hills divorce lawyer who has bungled his marriage, in this romantic dramedy; Kristofferson plays his ex Nina’s new guy, a freewheeling younger hippie. Although Kristofferson’s character is described as “12 years younger” than Nina, he was actually six years older than Susan Anspach, the actress who played Nina.
4:30 am: Rollover (1981)
Orion/courtesy Everett Collection
Kristofferson can do it all — even political thrillers! Or maybe not, consider that this movie got him nominated for a Razzie Award. Kristofferson plays a banker who discovers a complex financial conspiracy involving gold, Middle Eastern oil money, and the international economy. Jane Fonda plays the widow of a businessman who died under fishy circumstances.
