The Young and the Restless star Kristoff St. John dies at 52

Variety

The nine-time Emmy winner joined the CBS soap in 1991 after starring on NBC's Generations. He won his first Daytime Emmy the following year. "This is just heartbreaking," tweeted Young and the Restless fan Jemele Hill. "Kristoff St. John’s character was so revolutionary because he & @victoriarowell represented the only black family on Y&R, the no. 1 soap. Kristoff is appreciated and will be sorely missed." CBS and Sony Pictures Television released a joint statement saying: "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. 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.” Colleagues and St. John's former co-stars also remembered him. "This news has truly broken my heart," tweeted Yvette Nicole Brown. "Kristoff was pure & so kind. I will never forget how wonderful he was to me and everyone else he came into contact with. He was just a good, good man."