Wesley Snipes Pays Tribute to Blade Co-Star Kris Kristofferson
Actor Wesley Snipes has paid a heartfelt tribute to his Blade co-star Kris Kristofferson following the passing of the Grammy Award-winning musician and actor at the age of 88. Kristofferson passed away at his home in Maui on 28th September, surrounded by his family. Kristofferson notably portrayed vampire hunter Abraham Whistler, a mentor to Snipes’ titular character, in the Blade movie trilogy, spanning from 1998 to 2004.
Taking to his Instagram account, Snipes, 62, shared a poignant message alongside stills from their time on set, reminiscing about the invaluable life lessons he learned from Kristofferson. He expressed gratitude for being guided by Kristofferson’s example, highlighting the importance of values like bravery, family, and skill mastery. Snipes signed off the tribute with a nod to their Blade characters, referring to himself as Kristofferson’s eternal student, or ‘the #Daywalker’.
In a statement released to the press, Kristofferson’s family expressed their gratitude for the time they shared with him, thanking fans for their continued love and support. The family also suggested that whenever a rainbow appears, it should serve as a reminder that Kristofferson is watching over them with a smile.
Kristofferson, known for his illustrious country music career which began in the late Sixties, released his first album in 1970. His music repertoire includes classics such as “Help Me Make it Through the Night,” “Me and Bobby McGee,” and “Sunday Mornin’ Coming’ Down,” which earned him three competitive Grammy Awards.
Aside from his musical prowess, Kristofferson made a mark in Hollywood, debuting in Dennis Hopper’s The Last Movie in 1971 and going on to appear in acclaimed films like Sam Peckinpah’s Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid and Martin Scorsese’s Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. His role in the 1976 adaptation of A Star is Born opposite Barbra Streisand earned him a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Musical in the same year. The actor was later honoured with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014 for his significant contributions to the music industry.