The Young and the Restless Stars Remember Late Co-Star Kristoff St. John

This week marks the second anniversary of the passing of Kristoff St. John, who played Neil Winters on The Young and the Restless from 1991 to 2019. He died on February 3, 2019.

Remembering Kristoff St. John

During St. John’s YR tenure, he emerged as one of the most well-liked and respected actors on the show. He won two Daytime Emmys for playing Neil. His first came in 1992 in the category of Outstanding Younger Actor in a Drama Series and his second came in 2008 in the category of Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series. St. John was nominated for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series in 2016 and 2017.

He received a total of 11 nominations throughout his career. The actor first came to the attention of daytime fans when he debuted as Adam Marshall on NBC’s short-lived soap Generations. After Generations ended, YR quickly scooped him up to join the show as rising Jabot executive Neil Winters.

After a few episodes as a recurring player, St. John received a phone call from creator/sr. executive producer/head writer William J. Bell, who asked the actor if he’d like to stick around for a few years. The invitation was met with an enthusiastic yes!

St. John was paired with Victoria Rowell’s Dru and the two became one of YR’s most popular duos. During his YR tenure, Neil battled alcoholism, split from Dru after she kept secret that she was still using birth control pills, and learned that his daughter Lily (Christel Khalil) was not his daughter, but had instead been fathered by his half-brother Malcolm (Shemar Moore).

Over the years, St. John was paired with numerous leading ladies on YR including Tonya Lee Williams (ex-Olivia), Heather Tom (ex-Victoria; now, Katie, The Bold and the Beautiful), Nia Peeples (ex-Karen), Julia Pace Mitchell (ex-Sophia), Alexia Robinson (ex-Alex), Eva Marcille (ex-Tyra), and Eileen Davidson (Ashley). However, it was the Neil/Dru love match that fans recall most fondly.

Castmates past and present have taken to social media to honor St. John on the anniversary of his passing. “Kristoff, always in our hearts. ❤️,” posted the YR official Twitter account. TV son and real-life pal Bryton James wrote on his Instagram account: “My man. #kristoffstjohn #legend #denzelofdaytime.”

Michelle Stafford (Phyllis) tweeted “Forever” followed by a heart emoji and the hashtag “#23.” Former castmate Darius McCrary (ex-Malcolm) posted a photo of St. John from a press event and wrote: “One of Gods greatest gifts is grace ….” wrote McCrary, “some have it some don’t … this man was a perfect example … rest in power bro we will carry on your #legacy #legend xoxox.”

“I will never forget #kristoffstjohn #willalwaysbemissed,” shared Kate Linder (Esther). Today, St. John’s legacy lives on as YR continues to tell the stories of Devon and Lily. The Young and the Restless airs weekdays on CBS. Check local listings for airtimes.