At the Daytime Emmy Awards held on Sunday, Shemar Moore delivered a heartfelt tribute to his late co-star Kristoff St. John, who passed away three months earlier. Moore, presenting the award for Outstanding Drama Series, spoke candidly and broke from the script to remember St. John’s legacy on The Young and the Restless.
Remembering a Trailblazer and Mentor
Moore addressed the audience with deep emotion, acknowledging the significance of St. John’s impact on the show and its community. He said,
“This year, we had to say goodbye to a good man, a great man, a special individual, Mr. Kristoff St. John,”
highlighting the loss felt by many.
Expressing gratitude to CBS, the cast, and the production team for a tribute aired on The Young and the Restless, Moore remarked,
“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.”
The Lasting Influence on Actors and the Soap Opera Community
Moore emphasized how St. John opened doors for a generation of actors, including himself. He stated,
“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. I have a life, but I don’t have this life and I damn sure don’t have this career without Kristoff St. John in my life.”
He concluded by praising St. John’s exceptional qualities, calling him
“the most iconic, popular, thorough, professional, talented, big-hearted, generous African-American actor in soap opera history.”
The Enduring Legacy of Kristoff St. John
This tribute by Shemar Moore at the Daytime Emmy Awards serves as a powerful reminder of Kristoff St. John’s profound influence on daytime television and fellow actors. The public recognition of his contributions helps ensure his memory and career continue to inspire both industry professionals and fans alike.
