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Tributes are pouring in following the death of legendary country music star and actor Kris Kristofferson.
His family spokesperson Ebie McFarland said he died peacefully and surrounded by his family at his home in Maui, Hawaii, on Saturday (28 September) at the age of 88.
No cause of death for the Hollywood A-lister was given.
“We’re all so blessed for our time with him,” a family statement added. “Thank you for loving him all these many years, and when you see a rainbow, know he’s smiling down at us all.”
Kristofferson and Streisand starred in the 1976 A Star is Born. (Screen Archives/Getty Images)
Stars from across the entertainment industry have shared tributes for the Grammy and Country Music Association Awards winner.
Kristofferson also picked up a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Musical when he starred in the Oscar-winning 1976 remake of A Star is Born.
His co-star Barbra Streisand wrote on Instagram: “The first time I saw Kris performing at the Troubadour club in LA I knew he was something special. Barefoot and strumming his guitar, he seemed like the perfect choice for a script I was developing, which eventually became A Star Is Born.”
She also recalled having Kristofferson join her on-stage to sing the film’s duet in 2019 at London’s Hyde Park as she added: “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.”
Country star Dolly Parton also shared: “What a great loss. What a great writer. What a great actor. What a great friend. I will always love you, Dolly.”
Singer and actress Reba McEntire also described Kristofferson as ‘one of my favourite people’.
“What a gentleman, kind soul, and a lover of words. I am so glad I got to meet him and be around him,” she added.
Country singer Travis Tritt also called him an ‘inspiration’ as The Haunting of Hill House writer and director Mike Flanagan remembered his ‘brilliant work in Lone Star’.
And fellow country star Lee Greenwood wrote: “Hard to believe my friend Kris Kristofferson has left us. He was successful in all areas of his life. A champion boxer, a world-class actor, a spectacular songwriter and singer, and a hero to everyone fortunate enough to know him.”
In 2004, Kristofferson was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
The chief executive for the Country Music Hall of Fame, Kyle Young, wrote on X: “Kris Kristofferson believed creativity is God-given, and those who ignore such a gift are doomed to unhappiness.
“He preached that a life of the mind gives voice to the soul, and his work gave voice not only to his soul but to ours. He leaves a resounding legacy.”
In a statement issued via their publicist, her sons Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens said: “It is with great sadness we have to announce the death of Dame Maggie Smith.
“She passed away peacefully in hospital early this morning, Friday 27th September.
“An intensely private person, she was with friends and family at the end. She leaves two sons and five loving grandchildren who are devastated by the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother.
Maggie Smith has passed away aged 89 (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images)
“We would like to take this opportunity to thank the wonderful staff at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for their care and unstinting kindness during her final days.
“We thank you for all your kind messages and support and ask that you respect our privacy at this time.”
The legendary actress was perhaps most well known for her role as Professor McGonagall in Harry Potter – heartbreakingly, she has become the 26th cast member to have died since the movies first became so loved all the way back in 2001.
Smith was also a beloved name throughout her entire career, with her being well known for her time on Downton Abbey and Sister Act.
Tributes have begun pouring in from fans online, devastated by the death of the beloved actor.
Gyles Brandreth posted a picture of the pair and said: “The saddest news: the death of Dame Maggie Smith marks the end of a golden era & a quite extraordinary life.
“She was a truly great actress, “one of the greats” & simply the best company: wise, witty, waspish, wonderful.
“One of a kind in every way & consequently irreplaceable.”
Another account posted on Twitter and said: “One of those news you think you’ll never hear because in your heart they’re just immortal.
“Rest in peace, Dame Maggie Smith. You’ll be deeply missed.”
Another pointed to her role in Harry Potter, saying: “Will always remember this as one of Maggie Smith’s most iconic scenes”.
Smith’s role as Minerva McGonagall was an iconic one, with Harry Potter actor Daniel Radcliffe crediting her for getting him the role.
He said in 2011: “Well she got me the job at Potter, practically, so for anyone who doesn’t know that story, I basically owe everything to Maggie Smith because I worked with her on David Copperfield and then she came over to Potter as McGonagall and said to the director, you need to audition this boy.”
The actor, who played Professor McGonagall for ten years alongside Radcliffe, was also well known for her roles in Sister Act and Downton Abbey.
Prior to starring together in Harry Potter, Radcliffe worked alongside Smith on 1999’s David Copperfield when he was 9 years old – and according to the Kill Your Darlings star in 2017, it was Smith who’d recommended him for the role of the boy wizard.
His statement via Variety read: “The first time I met Maggie Smith I was 9 years old and we were reading through scenes for David Copperfield, which was my first job.
“I knew virtually nothing about her other than that my parents were awestruck at the fact that I would be working with her.
“The other thing I knew about her was that she was a Dame, so the first thing I asked her when we met was ‘would you like me to call you Dame?’ at which she laughed and said something to the effect of ‘don’t be ridiculous!’
“She was incredibly kind to me on that shoot, and then I was lucky enough to go on working with her for another 10 years on the ‘Harry Potter’ films.”
Radcliffe’s praise for her was glowing (Warner Brothers)
He went on to say: “She was a fierce intellect, a gloriously sharp tongue, could intimidate and charm in the same instant and was, as everyone will tell you, extremely funny.
“Thank you Maggie.”
Tributes have poured in for the late great actor, whose death was announced via a statement by her sons, Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin.
They said: “It is with great sadness we have to announce the death of Dame Maggie Smith. She passed away peacefully in hospital early this morning, Friday 27th September.
“An intensely private person, she was with friends and family at the end.
“She leaves two sons and five loving grandchildren who are devastated by the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother.”
Radcliffe wasn’t the only Harry Potter star to pay tribute to Smith.
“She embodied that perfect balance of sass and loving care that McGonagall has.
“She kept Gryffindors on their toes. My deepest condolences to Maggie’s family at this time.”
In a statement to Variety, the British-American star’s publicist confirmed his tragic death: “It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of Chance Perdomo’s untimely passing as a result of a motorcycle accident.
“Authorities have advised that no other individuals were involved. His passion for the arts and insatiable appetite for life was felt by all who knew him, and his warmth will carry on in those who he loved dearest.
“We ask to please respect the family’s wish for privacy as they mourn the loss of their beloved son and brother.”
Perdomo also appeared in CBBC series Hetty Feather, Amazon Prime romance After We Fell and BBC Three’s tragic real-life drama Killed by My Debt.
In 2019 he was named a BAFTA Breakthrough Brit.
In the popular Gen V series, the star played Andre Anderson, a student at the Godolkin University for superheroes.
“We can’t quite wrap our heads around this,” it began. “For those of us who knew him and worked with him, Chance was always charming and smiling, an enthusiastic force of nature, an incredibly talented performer, and more than anything else, just a very kind, lovely person.
“Even writing about him in the past tense doesn’t make sense. We are so sorry for Chance’s family, and we are grieving the loss of our friend and colleague. Hug your loved ones tonight.”
Kate Green/Getty Images for Universal Pictures
Tributes are pouring in on social media as people react to the loss of the star.
One wrote on X: “Dude just joined a great franchise as a badass character with a badass group of friends and had his entire life ahead of him and now he’s just gone. Life is so unfair man.”
Another put: “I’m so sad I’m getting mad trying to deny he’s gone. Chance was a great actor and he was so young. I hope his family and friends are doing well trying to grasp with this tragedy.”
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact Cruse Bereavement Care via their national helpline on 0808 808 1677.
Real name Paul Spencer, the musician was diagnosed with stage four rectal cancer in 2023.
His family wrote today on his official Instagram page: “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Paul Spencer earlier today. He was positive until the end but this was one battle he could not fight anymore.
The music star sadly passed away after a battle with cancer. (Instagram/@dariogofficial)
Several big names in the industry left their tributes in the comments below, with Sigala writing: “A true inspiration, he brought joy to so many people and will live on forever through his music.
“Paul told me many times over the last year, ‘Go get yourself checked,’ so I’m passing on that message to anyone reading this, as I’m sure he would want me to.”
“Rest in peace my friend. We will miss you, that’s for sure,” Sonique said, among other posts from stars.
Dario G was originally a duo, formed by Paul himself and Scott Rosser, as they met while studying music in 1990s Manchester, UK.
The band was uniquely named after the manager of Crewe Alexandra FC at the time, Dario Gradi.
They set up a small studio at Paul’s home, later adding a third member in Stephen Spencer, to join the group.
Selling more than 600,000 copies in the country alone, it was only beaten to top spot in the charts by Elton John’s heartfelt tribute to Princess Diana, the classic Candle In The Wind.
They followed this up with another top five hit, titled Carnacal De Paris, which became an unofficial anthem of the 1998 World Cup in France, where England fell at the round of 16 stage – the tune was re-released ahead of the 2002 World Cup too.
Other hits from Dario G include Voices, Sunmachine and Dream to Me, with the latter sampling the chorus of ‘Dreams’, the 90s’ hit by the Cranberries.
Scott and Stephen later left Dario G, leaving Paul to continue the music act solo.
On his own, he collaborated with Clean Bandit and Jess Glynne on a remix of the hit, ‘Real Love’, incorporating elements of Sunchyme into the song.
Paul announced his cancer diagnosis to fans in June last year, saying that he would ‘give it my best shot’, telling them to keep positive, ‘cos I am’.
Just three weeks ago, he shared that he was still positive in an Instagram post, writing: “I know you’ve been all been showing overwhelming support, love and strength for me,
“I’m infection free now but feel I already have the energy to defeat this fully.”
