Kristoff St. John died from heart disease, and accidental alcohol overdose, according to a report from the L.A. coroner's office.
The Young and the Restless star's official cause of death is listed as hypertrophic heart disease and is categorized as accidental, according to the report obtained by TMZ. The disease makes it difficult for the heart to pump blood and often goes undiagnosed.
The 52-year-old actor was found dead last month at his home in the San Fernando Valley. Law enforcement sources say one of the actor's friends went to check on him and found his body. Police and paramedics responded, and we're told Kristoff was pronounced dead on the scene.
A source close to St. John tells TMZ the actor checked himself into UCLA Medical Center in January for depression issues, and he had just been released a few days before his death. His depression was partially linked to his son, Julian's suicide in 2014. It also seems to be the likely trigger for St. John's heavy drinking at the time of his death.
Around the 3-year anniversary of Julian's suicide in 2017, St. John allegedly threatened to take his own life with a gun, and cops placed him under a 72-hour hold for psychiatric evaluation.
Three former cast members will return to The Young and the Restless to help say goodbye to longtime star Kristoff St. John, who died on February 4 at the age of 52.
Shemar Moore (Malcolm Winters), Victoria Rowell (Drucilla Winters) and Mishael Morgan (Hilary Curtis Winters) will participate in several episodes of the CBS daytime drama to pay final respects to St. John, who played Neil Winters since 1991. According to EW, Moore will reprise his role as Neil’s brother for two episodes airing April 25-26, while Rowell and Morgan will appear as themselves in a special tribute episode on April 29. The latter will include former and current cast members sharing memories of St. John and will also feature clips of St. John's most memorable moments.
Moore made his last appearance on Y&R as Neil's brother in September 2014. Rowell's Drucilla was a fan favorite from 1990-2007. Morgan played Hilary Curtis from 2013-18.
The Y&R plot line will address St. John’s passing beginning April 23. Genoa City learns of the unexpected death of Neil, so family and friends gather to remember their beloved father, colleague, brother, and friend. The story will continue through the remainder of the week.
“We all miss Kristoff immensely and are understandably still in a bit of shock,” says executive producer Anthony Morina to EW. “Our hope is that this storyline and tribute episode airing in April will honor the legendary character Kristoff helped create, and provide our audience with the opportunity to say a meaningful goodbye to Neil Winters.”
On the Friday, February 22 episode of The Dr. Oz Show, Mia St. John discusses her ex-husband, Kristoff St. John's mental health, as well as their son. They also dive into Kristoff's insecurities off camera and Mia's struggles with staying sober. Kristoff St. John played Neil Winters on The Young and the Restless for 28 years until his death on February 3.
Dr. Oz and Mia St. John discuss Kristoff’s Insecurity Off Camera
Dr. Oz asks: “How are you doing?”
Mia St. John responds: “Struggling. You know, I never recovered, really recovered, from the death of our son, and neither did Kristoff. And now, the death of Kristoff, it’s just, it’s a lot. It’s a lot, but you know, I know there are so many people that are counting on me. The kids that I work with now, and my daughter, and just for Kristoff and Julian to know that I’m still here fighting, and I’m going to continue to fight.”
Longtime The Young and the Restless fan favorites Victoria Rowell (Drucilla) and Doug Davidson (Paul) joined talk-show host Steve Harvey on Tuesday to discuss the legacy of Kristoff St. John (Neil) and the hole his death left in the soap opera, and the world.
"His departing this earth comes to me in waves," Rowell told Harvey. "I have moments of reprieve and then I'm in disbelief because it seems impossible that such a big spirit would be gone."
She also addressed his fans directly, telling them, "Kristoff absolutely loved you," and noted how "Kristoff was the kind of person that if he was running through the airport, people would follow him right into the bathroom because they just thought they had it like that with him ... It was just beautiful to watch him interface with his fans."
Davidson said his most enduring memory of his friend was that "he was just so full of love ... In any circumstance, if you were having trouble dealing with anything, he was always very supportive and would be there for you."
Longtime The Young and the Restless star Kristoff St. John will be laid to rest next to his late son, sources close to the family tell TMZ.
The Emmy winning actor will be buried at Valley Oaks Memorial Park in Westlake Village, California, in a plot right beside the grave of Julian St. John, who tragically died by suicide in 2014.
Actor Kristoff St. John, who played Neil Winters on the CBS daytime soap opera The Young and the Restless for the past 28 years, passed away on February 3. He was 52.
A cause of death has not been released. Sarah Ardalani, a public information officer with the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner, told CNN that St. John was found dead at a home in the Woodland Hills area of Los Angeles on Sunday afternoon. There were no signs of homicide or foul play, and there is no criminal investigation, Aguilar said.
CBS and Sony Pictures Television, the studio that produces The Young and the Restless, released a statement Monday saying "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 daughters, Paris and Lola."
Born in New York City in 1966, St. John -- the son of actor Christopher St. John -- entered the industry at a young age. He made his television debut at age 7 in That's My Mama. He went on to star in the series Charlie & Company with Flip Wilson, Gladys Knight and Della Reese, and later had roles in The Bad News Bears (with future Y&R co-star Tricia Cast), and The San Pedro Beach Bums.
Della Reese, the songstress who eventually launched a successful acting career in shows like Touched By an Angel, died Sunday night at her home in California. She was 86.
Reese was mourned in a touching tribute by her Touched By an Angel co-star Roma Downey, who said the star was "like a mother to me."
"Through her life and work she touched and inspired the lives of millions of people. I had the privilege of working with her side by side for so many years on 'Touched By an Angel.' I know heaven has a brand new angel this day. Della Reese will be forever in our hearts. Rest in peace, sweet angel. We love you,” she said.
The star was born Delloreese Patricia Early in Detroit in 1931.
She began performing at her local church at just six years old, kicking off a love for gospel music that would eventually launch her career.
After a brief stint in a gospel group of her own, the Meditation Singers, she embraced a jazzier sound under the influence of artists like Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan.
The shift in sound quickly rocketed Reese to fame on the back of hits like "Don't You Know," "And That Reminds Me" and "Someday (You'll Want Me to Want You)," which were spread out over 16 studio albums throughout the '50s, '60s and early '70s.
The popular tunes scored the singer three Grammy nominations over the years, with the most recent nod coming in 1998 for Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album.
Reese wound down her musical career in the '70s, and solidified herself as a double threat with a successful transition into a Hollywood acting career.
She launched her own variety show, Della, in 1969, which ran for one season, and became the first black woman to co-host The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson a year later.
"I was tired of the road, and doing TV meant I could stay home," she told the New York Times in 1998. "It was very obvious to me I was the first black woman with her own show when one executive told me they had a hard time finding sponsors because my gums were blue."
Reese expanded her resume with roles on TV shows like Chico and the Man, Welcome Back, Kotter, It Takes Two and The A-Team.
But it wasn't until the 1994 CBS series Touched By an Angel that Reese scored her signature role. For 211 episodes of the popular religious fantasy series, Reese — who became an ordained minister in the '80s — starred as supervising angel Tess.
She scored two Emmy nominations and a Golden Globe nomination for the divine role, which wrapped up in 2003.
"I've had so many different chapters in my career, so many different audiences, but it always comes back to me talking to God," she told the New York Times of the role in 1998. "My life doesn't seem remarkable to me. I assume once I have prayed, the answer is on its way."
Reese's health deteriorated in recent years following a 2002 diabetes diagnosis, and she retired from acting in 2014 after a final appearance on the Hallmark Channel series Signed, Sealed, Delivered.
In 2009, Reese made a two-day guest appearance on CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless as Devon's Aunt Virginia. Check out a behind-the-scenes interview with Y&R's Kristoff St. John below.
Reese is survived by her husband of 34 years, Franklin Lett, and children Deloreese, James, Franklin and Dominique.
Mia St. John, the ex-wife of The Young and The Restless star Kristoff St. John, says recent reports of the 51-year-old Emmy winner allegedly threatening to shoot himself are "inaccurate."
"I want the world to know the truth about what is happening with Kristoff, because currently there is inaccurate, and fabricated information being reported by certain online outlets," Mia tells ET. "No parent should ever have to bury their child, and for those who do, it is a nightmare that haunts you forever. The death of our beloved son Julian, has taken a toll on both of us. He is an actor and while he may appear whole on the outside, his heart is broken. As a society we need to start taking mental health seriously and realize that no one is immune."
"Last week, an incident occurred, that pushed him to the breaking point, but was not accurately reported," she continues. "I hope that at this moment we can all wrap our arms around Kristoff and help him in this time of need. Help him heal and move forward. This is not a 'gossip' story, or an interesting headline, this is a man trying to deal with a tragedy, that has torn apart his soul. Right now what he needs is your thoughts and prayers."
The Young and the Restless star Kristoff St. John is hospitalized for a 72-hour psychiatric evaluation after allegedly threatening to shoot himself.
TMZ cited unnamed law-enforcement sources as saying St. John's ex-wife Mia contacted police Thursday night to report the Y&R actor had been texting her photos of him holding a gun to his head.
The alleged incident comes nearly two years after their son Julian's suicide at the age of 24, following a long battle with mental illness.
St. John's most recent message on Twitter was a request that his followers share posts from Mia and celebrity psychiatrist Dr. Drew Pinsky regarding mental illness and homelessness.
"MY TWITTER FRIENDS!" he wrote on Oct. 12. "Please retweet this and show support for: #MentalHealthAwareness #Mentalhealth #love #support #together"
St. John has played Neil Winters on Y&R since 1991.
Kristoff St. John plays Neil Winters on The Young and the Restless.
The holiday season is when time-honored traditions are celebrated, and for more families each year, that includes watching festive movies. On Saturday, December 16 at 9 p.m. ET/PT, A Christmas Cruise premieres on ION. The film stars Vivica A. Fox (ex-Maya, Generations; ex-Stephanie, The Young and the Restless, Kristoff St. John (Neil, The Young and the Restless; ex-
Adam, Generations), Jessica Morris (ex-Jennifer, One Life to Live), Rib Hillis (ex-Jake, Port Charles), Corin Nemec and Nick Viall.
When her best friend invites her along for a holiday themed sail, an aspiring novelist, Pam, unexpectedly finds the love of her life on board. But what will happen when the ship returns to port for Christmas?
As part of the CBS Daytime "#1 for 30 Years" celebration, The Paley Center for Media in Los Angeles is currently running an interactive exhibit of one-of-a kind memorabilia and original set pieces from the network's daytime series. The exhibit honors the five current shows, as well as beloved classic soap operas As the World Turns and Guiding Light. Special programming has also been added to help pay homage to the CBS lineup. On November 9, the current cast of The Young and the Restless gathered for a reading of the show's very first script, which was broadcast on March 23, 1987. Like sister soap The Bold and the Beautiful, Y&R was co-created by William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell.
Y&R star Eric Braeden (Victor Newman) played patriarch Stuart Brooks (originally Robert Colbert), owner of the Genoa City Chronicle and father to four daughters. Sharon Case (Sharon Newman) read the role of Leslie Brooks (Janice Lynde), while Amelia Heinle (Victoria Newman) took on the part of Chris Brooks (Trish Stewart). Greg Rikaart played Snapper Foster (William Gray Espy), a med student and the oldest of the working class Foster siblings. Lauralee Bell (Christine Blair Williams), daughter of the show's creators, read the role of waitress Sally McGuire (Lee Crawford). Kristoff St. John (Neil Winters) played the mysterious Brad Eliot (Tom Hallick). Peter Bergman (Jack Abbott) read the roles of the truck driver who picked Brad up, and a police officer. Melody Thomas Scott (Nikki Newman) played Barbara Anderson (Deidre Hall). Christian LeBlanc (Michael Baldwin) played Pierre Roulland (Robert Clary). Eileen Davidson (Ashley Abbott) narrated, reading the stage directors for the episode, which was taped on March 12, 1973, and aired 11 days later.
You can watch the reading for yourself in the video below.
As part of the CBS Daytime "#1 for 30 Years" celebration, The Paley Center for Media in Los Angeles is currently running an interactive exhibit of one-of-a kind memorabilia and original set pieces from the network's daytime series. The exhibit honors the five current shows, as well as beloved classic soap operas As the World Turns and Guiding Light. Special programming has also been added to help pay homage to the CBS lineup. On November 9, the current cast of The Young and the Restless gathered for a reading of the show's very first script, which was broadcast on March 26, 1973. Like sister soap The Bold and the Beautiful, Y&R was co-created by William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell.
Y&R star Eric Braeden (Victor Newman) played patriarch Stuart Brooks (originally Robert Colbert), owner of the Genoa City Chronicle and father to four daughters. Sharon Case (Sharon Newman) read the role of Leslie Brooks (Janice Lynde), while Amelia Heinle (Victoria Newman) took on the part of Chris Brooks (Trish Stewart). Greg Rikaart played Snapper Foster (William Gray Espy), a med student and the oldest of the working class Foster siblings. Lauralee Bell (Christine Blair Williams), daughter of the show's creators, read the role of waitress Sally McGuire (Lee Crawford). Kristoff St. John (Neil Winters) played the mysterious Brad Eliot (Tom Hallick). Peter Bergman (Jack Abbott) read the roles of the truck driver who picked Brad up, and a police officer. Melody Thomas Scott (Nikki Newman) played Barbara Anderson (Deidre Hall). Christian LeBlanc (Michael Baldwin) played Pierre Roulland (Robert Clary). Eileen Davidson (Ashley Abbott) narrated, reading the stage directors for the episode, which was taped on March 12, 1973.
You can watch the reading for yourself in the video below.
Tomorrow on the June 1, 2016 episode of The Young and the Restless, Billy (Jason Thompson) tells Victoria (Amelia Heinle) he is going to tell her who he is sleeping with, and he wants her to do the same. Will she tell him about hunky Travis (Michael Roark)?
Meanwhile, Summer (Hunter King) challenges Luca (Miles Gaston Villanueva), and Lily (Christel Khalil) clashes with Neil (Kristoff St. John).
Devon is furious after Neil confesses his role is Hilary's kidnapping.
Check out the day-to-day spoilers and a sneak peek video below to find out what's happening on CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless during the week of November 23-27, 2015.
[SPOILER ALERT]
Monday, November 23
Neil (Kristoff St. John) confesses to Devon (Bryton James) that he was responsible for Hilary's (Mishael Morgna) disappearance; Cane (Daniel Goddards) asks Paul (Doug Davidson) for help clearing his name; Nick (Joshua Morrow) is suspicious about Dr. Anderson's (Elizabeth Bogush) interest in his family; Faith (Alyvia Alyn Lind) and Victor (Eric Braeden) talk about missing baby Christian; Dr. Anderson tells Sharon (Sharon Case) she gave birth to a baby boy.
On Wednesday's (October 14) episode of The Young and the Restless, Victor (Eric Braeden) brought Adam (Justin Hartley) to Newman to help stop the Paragon virus, much to Victoria's (Amelia Heinle) chagrin. It turned out Devon (Bryton James) and Dylan (Steve Burton) were at the wrong address, so Neil's (Kristoff St. John) cover wasn't blown yet. Emma (Alice Greczyn) told Gwen (Nadine Turner) she had to fire Dr. Neville, which gave Gwen the idea that the doctor and his unusual methods might be the perfect person to help Hilary (Mishael Morgan).
[WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD]
On Thursday's Y&R, Dylan talks to Dr. Anderson (Elizabeth Bogush) about Sharon's (Sharon Case) condition, and Ashley (Eileen Davidson) wants revenge against Victor.
"You think you can out Victor Victor?" Jack asks his sister.
"I know I can, even if you don't," Ashley replies.
Meanwhile, Dr. Simon Neville (played by Emmy Award winner Michael E. Knight) arrives to help Neil with Hilary.
"I've always been more interested in the challenge of medicine than the size of my paycheck," Dr. Neville tells Neil.
Former Y&R co-stars Kristoff St .John and Victoria Rowell
worked together last year in Marry Us for Christmas.
Production began this week in Atlanta on the UP Original Movie A Baby for Christmas, a romantic comedy starring Malinda Williams (Soul Food) and Victoria Rowell (The Young and the Restless) and Karon Riley (35 and Ticking). Building on the popularity the Marry Me for Christmas movie franchise, A Baby for Christmas will premiere on Sunday, December 13 at 7 p.m. ET as part of UP's "Everything you Love About Christmas" annual Christmas programming slate.
The film reunites the ensemble cast which includes GregAlan Williams (Necessary Roughness), Chrystale Wilson (For Richer or Poorer), DeEtta West (Lyfe’s Journey) Clifton Powell (Ray) and Kristoff St. John (20 Ft Below: The Darkness Descending), Rowell’s long-time The Young and the Restless co-star.
A Baby for Christmas is produced by Atlanta-based Swirl Films from a script by Rhonda Freeman-Baraka, who will make her directorial debut.
Young and the Restless stars coming to Horseshoe Casino
You can meet some of your favorite cast members as Horseshoe Casino in Baltimore hosts a Q&A session from 1-2 p.m. on September 26. The actors scheduled for the fan chat: Amelia Heinle (who plays Victoria Newman Abbott), Bryton James (Devon Hamilton Winters), Daniel Goddard (Cane Ashby) and Kristoff St. John (Neil Winters).
C.A. Tosses Judgment for Actor Claiming Parents Took His Money
Warren, 25—his full name is Christopher Warren Jr.—has been acting professionally since he was nine years old. He is the son of Christopher Warren Sr. and actress Brook Kerr, who starred as Whitney Russell for eight years on NBC soap opera Passions.
In 2012, he sued his parents and Share the Night, Inc., a corporation they formed in 2001 to promote his career. Seeking damages for breach of oral contract and fiduciary duty, and an accounting, he claimed that his parents looted the company, in which he continued to deposit his earnings after reaching the age of majority, in order to pay their personal expenses.
The parents went through a bitter divorce proceeding around the time the lawsuit was filed, with Kerr calling her then-husband a bipolar drug dealer, according to TMZ.
Former Bold and the Beautiful actress Kayla Ewell got married
Ewell (ex-Caitlin, B&B; ex-Vicki, The Vampire Diaries) married her long-time boyfriend Tanner Novlan on Saturday night in Los Angeles. Former Vampire Diaries co-star Candice Accola (Caroline) was part of the wedding, while Nina Dobrev (ex-Elena), Michael Trevino (Tyler) and Sara Canning (ex-Jenna) were in attendance.
Taraji P. Henson expected Empire to end up on cable
At a cast Q&A, Henson said: "I’m like, my character beats one son with a broom and calls the other the F-bomb! … I figured, we’ll get this awesome piece of work in the can, Fox will choke and it will end up on cable.”
Miss America pageant apologizes to Vanessa Williams on live TV
Williams, who returned as a judge for this year’s pageant, received a formal apology over her forced resignation as Miss America 32 years ago amid a nude photo scandal. Miss America CEO Sam Haskell told Williams: "Though none of us currently in the organization were involved then, on behalf of today’s organization, I want to apologize to you and to your mother, Miss Helen Williams. I want to apologize for anything that was said or done that made you feel any less than the Miss America you are and the Miss America you always will be."
A new promo for CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless teases "deep, dark secrets" are coming up this week. Victor (Eric Braeden) want to break out the champagne, Adam (Justin Hartley) is determined not to be defeated again, Mariah (Camrym Grimes) encourages Sharon (Sharon Case) to tell Dylan (Steve Burton) the truth about losing the baby, Devon (Bryton James) wonders if Lily (Christel Khalil) suspects him in Hilary's (Mishael Morgan) disappearance, and Colin (Tristan Rogers seems suspicious of Neil (Kristoff St. John).
A new promo for CBS soap opera The Young and The Restless teases an affair that can't be undone (Lily and Joe), a killer with nothing left to lose (Det. Harding), and an ex with an axe to grind (Neil). Watch below:
The Young and the Restless star Kristoff St. John is hospitalized for a 72-hour psychiatric evaluation after allegedly threatening to shoot himself.
