Kristoff, a two-time Emmy Award winner, died at age 52 on Feb. 3, 2019. The Los Angeles County coroner’s office listed his cause of death as “hypertrophic heart disease … and effects of ethanol.” His death was officially ruled an accident.
Kristoff St. John’s TV family is especially remembering the late actor.
In March 2019, he was laid to rest next to the grave of his son Julian St. John, who died by suicide in 2014. Friends and family gathered at the Calvary Community Church in Westlake, California, where he was buried, to celebrate his life.
In May of that same year, former costar Shemar Moore referenced St. John while presenting the award for best drama series at the Daytime Emmys, which Y&R won.
Many of St. John’s costars from the series attended the service to pay their respects,
BEHIND THE SCENES OF THE MEMORIAL EVENT KRISTOFF’S CLOSEST FRIENDS, FAMILY & COLLEAGUES WERE IN ATTENDANCE
“This year, we had to say goodbye to a good man, a great man, a special individual, Mr. Kristoff St. John,” said Moore, 51. “In my opinion, he is the most iconic, popular, thorough, professional, talented, big-hearted, generous African-American actor in soap opera history. … Kristoff, we miss you, rest in peace, keep dancing, and we will never, ever forget you, my brother.”
Actor Producer DTeflon said to AEPR Media I don’t know how I am gonna go on without my brother I cannot tell you how many times this man saved my life when I was going through some of the darkest times in my life.
He was the one guy I could call and would always be there
I truly lost the best part of me I was a better man because of him.
Friends and family of Kristoff St. John came together to honor his life at the Calvary Community Church in Westlake, California
The 54-year-old actor, best known for his portrayal of Neil Winters on the epic soap opera The Young and the Restless over almost thirty years, passed away in his home on February 3, 2019
St. John’s fiancée Kseniya Mikhaleva was not able to be present at the service because of visa issues, but many other family members were in attendance.
Powerful performance by Kenny Latimore at the service
His father, Christopher, gave the eulogy, while one of St. John’s daughters, Lola, and his cousin were at his side. “My baby boy Kristoff, I never planned to be standing here on this day. Honestly, I always thought that Kristoff would be standing here to talk about me,” Christopher said.
“When Kristoff was born, I held him in my arms, just like this, and he was the most remarkable baby I’d ever seen. He taught me how to be a better boy because he knew things about me that I didn’t even realize. Well, we started growing up together, me and Kristoff, and we had the greatest time. He taught me how to laugh and play. We did everything together,” he continued.
The moment was similar to St. John being forced to mourn his son, Julian, four years prior. Julian’s death left a void in St. John’s life that was mentioned several times during the service, reports said.
St. John was laid to rest beside Julian, who committed suicide after a lifelong struggle with mental illness.