Actor Kristoff St. John graced the TV screen as “Young and the Restless” character Neil Winters for the last time on Wednesday, Feb. 6. The episode ended with a tribute to St. John, who had played Winters on the soap opera since 1991. St. John was found dead on Sunday.
For his final appearance in the show, St. John as Winters showed support for his adopted son.
“It’s your big night. I wouldn’t miss it, man,” Winters told Devon, a music executive promoting an exclusive performance, according to USA Today.
“I’m proud of you, and I’m really glad I’m here to witness this next triumph in your life,” Winters continued to Devon, played by Bryton James, during the episode.
When the entertainment for the event doesn’t show up, Winters saves the day by convincing Devon’s sister, Ana Hamilton, played by Loren Lott, to step up and sing instead.
The episode concluded with a tribute to St. John: “In Loving Memory of Our Dear Friend,” as well as an image of the late actor.
CBS paid tribute to Kristoff St. John on his final episode of The Young and the Restless. https://t.co/GEaWFGURkC pic.twitter.com/qYhne4uD6o
— E! News (@enews) February 6, 2019
Fans and co-stars took to social media to mourn the loss of St. John.
“I am just so gutted thinking about the amazing talent that was Kristoff St. John,” Holly Robinson Peete of “21 Jump Street” wrote. “Of course everyone knows him from Y&R but I’ve been watching our fun scenes from Hanging [With] Mr. Cooper today thinking about the hilarious times we had on set. He will be missed.”
…I am just so gutted thinking about the amazing talent that was Kristoff St. John.
Of course everyone knows him from Y&R but today I’ve been watching our fun scenes from Hangin up Mr. Cooper today thinking about the hilarious times we had on set.
He will be missed ???????????????? pic.twitter.com/8Ix3rZTiP9— HRP???? (@hollyrpeete) February 5, 2019
“Young and the Restless” co-star Kate Linder tweeted, “Kristoff St. John was such a kind man and a very dear friend to me and so many at Y&R. My late husband Ron and Kristoff just adored each other too. He will be missed terribly.”
Kristoff St. John was such a kind man and a very dear friend to me and so many at Y&R. My late husband Ron and Kristoff just adored each other too. He will be missed terribly. pic.twitter.com/9tQOpoRiNx
— KATE LINDER (@KATELINDER) February 4, 2019
Shemar Moore, another “Young and the Restless” co-star, posted a touching and heartfelt video on Instagram, captioning it: “Mr KRISTOFF ST JOHN…There is no ME without YOU!!!!! You are MY BROTHER!!! I LOVE YOU!!! Sleep my dude…. REST IN PEACE…I’ll finish what YOU started!!! THANK YOU for YOUR HEART and TALENT!!!!!”
The “Criminal Minds” actor also told People he considered Kristoff as his “brother.”
“I’m raised an only child, but Kristoff is truly the closest thing to a brother and a brother’s love and a brother’s mentorship that I’ve ever known,” he told People.
St. John, 52, was found dead in his home in the San Fernando Valley on Sunday, two weeks after posting about his son’s suicide.
St. John’s son Julien committed suicide four years ago at the age of 24, after struggling with mental health.
“Grieving the loss of a child is a process. It begins on the day your child passes, and ends the day the parent joins them,” one person tweeted.
“Never a truer word was spoke,” St. John responded. “Thanks for posting this.”
That was his last Twitter post.
Never a truer word was spoke. Thanks for posting this.
— Kristoff St John (@kristoffstjohn1) January 22, 2019
According to the Los Angeles Police Department, a death investigation took place at around 2:05 p.m. for a possible alcohol overdose at the 2300 block of Morea Way, reported People. According to TMZ, which first broke the story, the two-time Emmy Award-winning actor’s body was found after one of his friends went to check on him at his home.
Shortly after the news of St. John’s death became public, CBS Television Network and Sony Pictures Television, the studio that produces “Young and the Restless,” released a joint statement.
“The news of Kristoff St. John’s passing is heartbreaking. He was a very talented actor and an even better person,” the statement read. “For those of us who were fortunate enough to work with him on ‘The Young and the Restless’ for the last 27 years, he was a beloved friend whose smile and infectious laugh made every day on set a joy and made audiences love him. On behalf of the Y&R cast and crew, CBS and Sony Pictures Television, we offer our heartfelt sympathy to his family and loved ones, especially his two daughters, Paris and Lola.”
With the heaviest of hearts, we say goodbye to our friend and CBS Daytime family member, the incomparable, Kristoff St. John. @YandR_CBS #YR pic.twitter.com/htphXEzOHh
— CBS Daytime (@CBSDaytime) February 4, 2019
“The Young and the Restless” will air another special tribute to St. John during Friday’s episode on CBS at 12:30 ET.
