Shemar Moore's Tribute to Kristoff St. John at Daytime Emmys

Shemar Moore got another chance to pay tribute to his late friend, Kristoff St. John when he presented an award during the Daytime Emmys. "He wasn't just in the game, he changed the game," he said.

This year’s Daytime Emmys felt the void left by the late “Young and the Restless” star, Kristoff St. John. Apart from an In Memoriam segment dedicated to him, his co-star Shemar Moore honored him when he took the stage to present an award.

A PROPER GOODBYE

Before announcing the winner for outstanding drama series, Moore took the time to pay tribute to his good friend.

“This year, we had to say goodbye to a good man,” he began. “a great man, a special individual, Mr. Kristoff St. John.”

He continued by thanking CBS for the four episodes it devoted in “Young and the Restless” to give St. John a proper goodbye.

“I want to thank CBS. I want to thank “The Young and the Restless” and I want to thank the cast of “The Young and the Restless” for honoring him the right way,” he said as the crowd applauded.

“The tribute that aired this past week on “The Young and the Restless,” saying goodbye to Kristoff and his character, Neil Winters, was so beautifully, beautifully done. I know Kristoff is proud of all of us.”

“I have a life, but I don't have this life, and I (expletive) sure don't have this career without Kristoff St. John in my life and dancing with that man for ten years strong and being his friend for over twenty."

GAME CHANGER

Moore then lauded the late actor for his accomplishments in the industry.

“Kristoff was in the game 28 years. He wasn’t just in the game, he changed the game,” he said. “He opened the door for so many of us, myself and a lot of you out there. So as you continue young actors, carry his torch with pride,” he encourages.

“I have a life, but I don't have this life, and I (expletive) sure don't have this career without Kristoff St. John in my life and dancing with that man for ten years strong and being his friend for over twenty."

“In my opinion he is the most iconic, popular, thorough, professional, talented, big-hearted, generous African-American actor in soap opera history.”

AN UNTIMELY DEATH

St. John unexpectedly died in February due to a heart condition exacerbated by the excessive intake of alcohol. He was only 52. Moore mourned along with the rest of the industry after learning of his untimely demise.

A LASTING LEGACY

In his speech during the Daytime Emmys, Moore looked up to St. John as his mentor, friend, brother, acting coach, and therapist, adding,

“In my opinion he is the most iconic, popular, thorough, professional, talented, big-hearted, generous African-American actor in soap opera history.”

He even quoted his “Young and the Restless” co-star Bryton James who said, “Kristoff St. John was the Denzel of daytime.”

“He earned it,” Moore assures.

A CELEBRATION OF LIFE

Before he presented the winners for outstanding drama series, the “S.W.A.T.” star ended his tribute by acknowledging that St. John was dancing in heaven with his son, Julian St. John, who ended his life in 2014. He also asked the audience to celebrate as St. John would have wanted.

“We’re gonna keep on laughing and keep on having a good time tonight because, Kristoff, we miss you. Rest in peace, keep dancing and we will never, ever forget you, my brother.”

FRIENDS FOR LIFE

Moore and St. John have been friends since 1994 when the former joined the cast of their popular daytime soap as Malcolm Winters, the half-brother of St. John’s character. Their friendship deepened as the years went by making it doubly hard for Moore to accept his pal’s passing.

Moore recently revealed the last text message he received from his friend before he died. It was a message of admiration for what Moore had become.

“You were a squeaky clean Lil boy, with stars in your eyes. Now you are the center of an entire solar system,” part of the message read. “You are exemplary. Far beyond any black star that graced TV in the last 50 years…”

Moore captioned the photo honoring St. John for his unconditional love and support of him. It is understandable why he would continue to live in the memory of his good friend and pay tribute to him any chance he gets.