In the face of withering criticism, Kristofferson always maintained a staunch defense of “Heaven’s Gate,” which later gained critical respect. In a 2012 video interview included in the Criterion Collection’s home video release of the film, he said, “Both Michael and his movie deserved better… [it] deserved being treated like a work of art, and not as some failed economic venture.”
During the ‘80s, he slowly regained his career footing. With Willie Nelson – who recorded a bestselling album of Kristofferson’s songs in 1979 – he co-starred in Alan Rudolph’s 1984 feature “Songwriter”; their collaborative song score received an Academy Award nomination.
In 1985, Kristofferson, Nelson, Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings convened for the album “Highwayman,” a No. 1 country album that introduced the outlaw country supergroup. Ultimately known as the Highwaymen, the quartet issued two more popular albums in 1990 and 1995.
His film career continued apace, albeit in smaller roles; he ultimately tallied more than 100 movie and TV acting appearances. In 1996, he garnered strong reviews as a sadistic Texas lawman in John Sayles’ “Lone Star.” In 1998, he made the first of three appearances as vampire hunter Abraham Whistler opposite Wesley Snipes in the popular comic book franchise “Blade.”
