Shemar MooreandKristoff St. Johnmay have played brothers on-screen, but their sibling-like bond was even stronger when the cameras stopped rolling.
Nearly three months after St. John, who starred as Neil Winters onTheYoung and the Restlesssince 1991,died at the age of 52, his castmates remembered the profound impact the late actor had on both their professional and personal lives.
“Kristoff, what I believe, he carried me through this career. You know, I had to earn my way to develop this career, but he really got me started and embraced me and rooted for me and told me that anything was possible,” Moore, who played Neil’s half-brother Malcolm Winters onY&R, said onThe TalkFriday.
Moore, 49, went on to share an inside joke that the pair laughed about, which later turned into a public display of humorous affection.
“And so because he carried me, our running joke was whenever we did public appearances, our entrance would always be me carrying him on my shoulders. And he would say, ‘Let me carry you.’ I’m like, ‘Nah, nah, nah. Your punk butt might drop me.’ This picture is from the last time that we appeared on this show,” he said about the photo of himself holding St. John on his shoulders during a previous appearance onThe Talk. “That’s me and Kristoff. That’s on our entrance out here and I’m carrying him.”
Kristoff St. John and Shemar Moore.Lisette M. Azar/CBS
Sitting alongside castmatesVictoria Rowell, Christel Khalil and Bryton James, Moore shared the significance of the highlighted and framedY&Rscript that he brought to the stage, which accompanied the smiling photo of the pair.
From left: Shemar Moore, Victoria Rowell, Christel Khalil and Bryton James.Sonja Flemming/CBS
“My dad in real life, we don’t have much of a relationship, so Kristoff definitely kind of filled that role. I mean, every birthday he always gave me something. He was at my actual wedding I had,” Khalil, 31, said as she held back tears. “I thought I was done crying. He’s been like a real father figure.”
Added James, “He was like a half father, half brother to me because I could say things and stuff and share things maybe I couldn’t with my dad — I wouldn’t want to, vice versa. He was there for the biggest parts of our lives — our lives especially,” he said, referencing himself and Khalil. “Because we were kids. We were literally kids when we came on this show. Talk about being here reunited with family for the first time, we literally wouldn’t be here without these people, without Kristoff.”
“I mean, she wanted to bring a foster care storyline toThe Young and the Restlessand that’s why Devon exists,” James, 32. said about Rowell, who noted that “May is national foster care awareness month.”
“And just to finish up, we experienced some of the biggest moments of our lives, like getting married, divorced, having, you know, your child,” James said, referencing Khalil. “Losing my real father a few years back. Through everything [Kristoff] had gone through, he was a rock for me every time coming to work.”
Shemar Moore and Kristoff St. John onThe Young & the Restless.Sonja Flemming/CBS via Getty
On Wednesday’s episode of the long-running soap,viewers learned of Neil’s cause of death. “From everything I’ve seen and heard, it sounds like a massive stroke,” Dr. Hastings told Neil’s daughter, Lili. “It’s possible he had high blood pressure and never even knew. That’s why they call it the silent killer.”
PEOPLE previously announced that during an upcoming episode ofY&R,the characters will gather to remember one of their own after Neil died unexpectedly. Neil’s family and friends will come from near and far to pay their respects and remember their beloved father, colleague, brother and friend.
Moore is reprising his role for two episodes, airing Thursday and Friday.
Next week,Y&Rwill air a special tribute episode for St. John on Monday that will include cast members sharing memories of their dear friend and colleague, along with favorite Neil Winters clips spanning his 27 years on the show. Moore and Rowell will participate.
source: people.com
