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Kristoff St. John, the actor who played the character Neil Winters on the CBS daytime soap opera “The Young and the Restless” since 1991, has died, according to his attorney Mark Gegaros. He was 52.

St. John was pronounced dead at his home in Woodland Hills, California on Sunday afternoon at 4:02 p.m.

St. John got his start as a child actor on the ABC TV mini-series “Roots: The Next Generation,” and he starred in his first soap opera “Generations” on NBC in 1989. Following the show’s cancellation, he originated the part of Neil Winters on “The Young and the Restless” and had portrayed him for 25 years. He’s the longest running African American actor to appear on the legendary soap.

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In his long career, St. John was also the recipient of nine Daytime Emmy award nominations, winning twice, and 10 NAACP Image Award nominations. He most recently was nominated for a Daytime Emmy in 2017.

“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,” a joint statement from CBS Television Network and Sony Pictures Television, which produces “The Young and the Restless,” read.

St. John’s son, Julian, with his ex-wife Mia died by suicide in 2014. And months later, the couple filed a wrongful death suit against the nurses and staff at La Casa Psychiatric Health Facility in Long Beach, California, claiming that the staff lied about the number of times they had checked in on their son and falsified records claiming they did so.

The Los Angeles County’s coroner said that St. John’s autopsy is scheduled for Monday.

Kristoff is survived by two daughters, Paris and Lola St. John.

Hollywood's Notable Deaths of 2019 (Photos)

Here's a list of some of the notable celebrities and industry professionals in film, TV, music and sports who have passed away in 2019.
Joe Stapleton

The New England broadcaster who appeared in several Oscar-winning films like "Spotlight" and "Mystic River," died Jan. 1. Stapleton was 55.
Daryl Dragon

One half of pop duo Captain and Tennille died Jan. 2 of renal failure, according to Reuters. He was 76.
Gene Okurland

The famed WWE announcer, who frequently interviewed the likes of Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant at their peak, died Jan. 2. Okurland was 76.
Bob Einstein

The "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and "Arrested Development" actor (and brother of actor-filmmaker Albert Brooks) died Jan. 2. Einstein was 76.
Verna Bloom

The "Animal House" and “The Last Temptation of Christ" actress died Jan. 9. A family spokesperson told USA Today that Bloom died from complications from dementia. Bloom was 80.
Mark Urman

The veteran indie film distributer, who was most recently president and CEO of New York-based Paladin Films, died Jan. 12 following a bout with cancer. He was 66.
Carol Channing

The legendary Broadway and musical actress ("Hello Dolly," "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes") died Jan. 15. Channing was 97.
Lorna Doom

The German bassist and founding member of the seminal Los Angeles-based punk band The Germs, died Jan. 17. She was 61.
John Coughlin

The former champion figure skater died by suicide on Jan. 18. The news came days after Coughlin was suspended from the sport over a pending grievance. He was 33.
Andy Vajna

The Hungarian producer who worked with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone on some of their most popular films, including "Rambo" and "Total Recall," died at his home in Budapest on Jan. 20. He was 74.
Russell Baker

A two-time Pulitzer-winning writer and longtime host of PBS’ “Masterpiece Theatre,” Baker died Jan. 21 in his Lessburg, Virginia, home. Baker was 93.
James Frawley

The director of “The Muppet Movie” and the show “The Monkees,” died on Jan. 22 at his home in Indian Wells, California. He was 82.
Kevin Barnett

The comic and co-creator of "Rel," the Lil' Rel Howery-led sitcom on Fox, died Jan. 22 due to a hemorrhage. Barnett was 32.
Michel Legrand

The French composer who won three Oscars for his songs ("The Windmills of Your Mind") and film scores ("Summer of '42," "Yentl") died Jan. 26. Legrand was 86.
James Ingram

The singer and songwriter whose hits included “I Don’t Have the Heart,” died Jan. 29. According to TMZ, Ingram died following a battle with brain cancer. He was 66.
Louisa Moritz

The “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” actress who was one of the numerous women who accused comedian Bill Cosby of sexual misconduct, died of natural causes on Jan. 30. Moritz was 72.
Neal James

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Julie Adams

The actress known for playing the damsel in distress in the 1954 monster movie “Creature From the Black Lagoon,” died Sunday, Feb. 3. She was 92.
Kristoff St. John

The actor who played the character Neil Winters on the CBS daytime soap opera “The Young and the Restless” since 1991, died Sunday, Feb. 3. He was 52.
Albert Finney

The British Oscar-nominated actor who starred in “Tom Jones,” “Erin Brockovich” and the “Bourne” movies, died Friday, Feb. 8. He was 82.
Ron Miller

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Pedro Morales

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