Kristoff St. John's 'Y&R' costar Eric Braeden opens up about his death in an emotional tribute

During recent interviews, “deeply shocked” Eric Braeden spoke about co-star Kristoff’s death and the type of man he was.

A visibly emotional Eric spoke with ExtraTv’s Tanika Ray about the loss everyone is feeling following Kristoff St. John’s death. Speaking of Kristoff’s tragic death, Eric said:

“Everyone was, and is, deeply shocked. Very saddened by it; Kristoff was a hell of a guy.”

Eric Braeden plays the role of Victor Newman in “The Young and the Restless” and worked with Kristoff for about 27 years. The fellow actor further described Kristoff as a “man’s man,” who was “one of the most charming and gregarious co-workers we ever had,” and a “very good actor.”

During Eric’s interview with The Daily Beast, he elaborated more on Kristoff’s nature as a person, and how life changed for Kristoff following the suicide of his son in 2014:

“But he carried so many things in his heart and soul, especially after the terrible death of his son. I don’t think he ever got over it, and I don’t think he ever fully dealt with it. He tried to. Publicly he had a good demeanor and a good life. But I think the pain was deep: very, very deep. And I think it was too much to live with.”

Eric didn’t work with Kristoff in the weeks before his death, but “some of the cast who had said he was a little bit more withdrawn and depressed than usual.”

It is hard to imagine he won’t be walking onscreen again nor would he bring light into the lives of so many like he used to. Not on “The Young and the Restless,” not anywhere.

Kristoff posted his last tweet on January 22, shortly before his death. He retweeted the post of another Twitter user and commented:

The late actor’s other co-stars from “The Young and the Restless” are grieving as well, as Eric added:

“They are devastated, really devastated. Kristoff was more than a nice guy. People loved him. He was a fundamentally nice man, and always there for people. He was just a man with soul. This will have a deep effect on all of us. The more you think about it, the sadder you become, the more you realize the effect he had on other people.”

Sony Pictures Television (the studio that produces the daytime soap) and CBS Television issued a joint statement and said:

“The news of Kristoff St. John’s passing is heartbreaking. He was a very talented actor and an even better person. 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.”

The statement concluded with empathy towards the family:

“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.”

Kristoff St. John played the role of Neil Winters close to 28 years, and it is hard to imagine he won’t be walking onscreen again nor would he bring light into the lives of so many like he used to. Not on “The Young and the Restless,” not anywhere.

In San Fernando Valley, California, the Los Angeles Police Department responded to an “incident.” The person found at the scene was pronounced dead and later confirmed to be Kristoff St. John.

Officer Rosario Cervantes with the Los Angeles Police Department said they are looking into a “possible alcohol overdose.” However, there has been no official release of the cause of death.

Eric Braeden, among other “The Young and the Restless” stars, took to social media to pay tribute to the late actor, Kristoff St. John, as Eric wrote:

Victoria Rowell, who played opposite Kristoff as Drucilla Winters for many years, also took to Twitter to express how she felt:

In a relating article, Shemar Moore paid an emotional tribute to his close friend who passed away on February 3, 2019. He opened up about what Kristoff meant to him as a friend and mentor.

Shemar and Kristoff played half-brothers on “The Young and the Restless” ever since Shemar’s character, Malcolm Winters got introduced to the soap in 1991.