Skip to content
MovieCove
Kristoff St. John

Kristoff St. John

Actor, also producer · Died February 3, 2019, aged 52 · New York City, New York, USA

Kristoff made his television debut at age 8 in the sit-com series "That's My Mama." Now, 39 years later, he is one of the stars on CBS's "Young and The Restless," the number one rated drama for the past 25 years on daytime television, playing the popular character of Neil Winters. Is it just a coincidence that Kristoff has been starring on Y and R for 23 plus years. His childlike gifts have all emerged into the full measure of a mature actor, as is evident by his eight Emmy Award nominations. Two of Kristoff's Emmy nominations came from starring in the short-lived, NBC-TV daytime drama, "Generations." Kristoff was nominated as Best Supporting Actor in 1990, and in 1991. In 1992 he won the Emmy Award for his role of Neil Winters on "The Young and The Restless." He was nominated for an Emmy in 1993, 1999, and also in 2000, 2006, 2007, and Kristoff won a second Emmy in 2008, for Best Supporting Actor for his role on The Young and The Restless. Kristoff has had the distinct honor of winning the NAACP Image Award as Best Actor in a Daytime Drama, "The Young and the Restless" nine times. He has been nominated for the Image award sixteen times. Kristoff is no stranger to the CBS network, having starred in the series "Charlie and Company," with Flip Wilson, Gladys Knight, and Della Reese. He was also a series regular on CBS' "The Bad News Bears." Kristoff also starred in the Spelling Series, "The San Pedro Beach Bums," As a child and young adult, Kristoff worked with legendary entertainers such as Richard Pryor, Tony Orlando, Diahann Carroll, Jack Warden, James Earl Jones, Bill Cosby, Flip Wilson, Smokey Robinson, Irene Cara, Gladys Knight, Farrah Fawcett, Jon Voight, and had the distinction of playing the title role of Young Alex Haley in "Roots 2," for which he won a 'Youth in Film' award. Kristoff has starred in many television dramatic features and mini series, (list available upon request) as well as over two dozen television guest star roles including "Suddenly Susan," "Arliss," "The Jamie Foxx Show," "Get Real," "Pensacola," "Martin," "Living Single," "For Your Love," "The Cosby Show," "Diagnosis Murder," etc. etc. Additionally, he had a recurring role, playing Holly Robinson's boyfriend on the ABC-TV sitcom series "Hanging with Mr. Cooper." He also guest starred in Bow Wow's WB pilot project, "Saving Jason." Kristoff's feature film credits include starring roles in "The Champ," "Top of the Heap," "A Man Called God," and "Trois 2, Pandoras Box." Kristoff starred in the independent feature "Carpool Guy," directed by and starring fellow daytime alum Corbin Bernsen. Kristoff has appeared on "The Tonight Show," with Jay Leno, and over three dozen other talk shows! Kristoff was voted one of the 40 most fascinating faces by 'People' Magazine in 1998. Additionally, Kristoff was voted one of the 'top ten soap studs' of all time by E-On Line in 1999. Unwilling to limit his artistic talents to acting, Kristoff formed his own production company to produce and direct his own projects,. One of Kristoff's screenplays has been optioned by Warner Brothers. From 1995-1997, he created, produced, and hosted the CBS series, "CBS Soap Break," an up close and personal look at CBS soap stars. Kristoff has written, produced, directed, and hosted two installments of a 'behind the scenes' video series entitled, "Backstage Pass to the 25th and 26th Annual Daytime Emmy's." Kristoff has also written, produced and directed a children's workout/exercise DVD starring his two children, Julian and Paris. Kristoff was hired by the Starz network as an official spokesperson for the Black Starz channel. In 2006, Kristoff was hired to host TV Guide's "Close-up," and "Soap Secrets." Kristoff hosted the Pre Show to the Golden Globes, Live on the Red Carpet, for the T.V. Guide Network in 2007. Kristoff is also the brainchild of a Hollywood based DVD/board game, 'Becoming a Celebrity' that hit toy store shelves in 2005. In 2008, Kristoff produced a $2 million dollar Independent feature film "A Bridge To Nowhere," directed by Blair Underwood. Kristoff was voted as one of TV Guides top 25 Sexiest Soap males in 2008. Kristoff Guest Starred on "Everybody Hates Chris" in 2008, playing himself! Summer of 2008, Kristoff hosted TV Guides "Soaps Top 25 Sexiest Ladies." Kristoff won his second Emmy for playing the popular character of Neil Winters on "The Young and The Restless" in 2008. In 2009, Kristoff Guested on the wildly popular "L.A. INK" show on TLC, adding to his tattoo collection! Kristoff presented at the "World Magic Awards" in 2009. Kristoff starred in the Wayans pilot project "Growing Up Wayans" in the summer of 2010, playing Kim Wayan's husband and father to their 6 kids. Kristoff was a recurring guest star on the sit-com "Family Time" airing on the Bounce Network. Kristoff guest-starred in September 2013 on "Love That Girl" on TV One, working with Phil Morris, alumni from Y and R. Kristoff guest-starred on Byron Allens, "The First Family," August, 2013. Kristoff worked on a feature film project 34 years in the making: "A Man Called God," a unique 'cult' documentary about Kristoff's travels to Southern India to study with a world renowned holy man that 50 million disciples call God. Kristoff had three children, his son, Julian, and daughters, Paris and Lola.

Read more

Biography from IMDb.

Born
July 15, 1966
Died
February 3, 2019 (aged 52)
From
New York City, New York, USA
Works as
Actor, also producer
Titles
23 on MovieCove · 38 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 39 days to Oct 28Up 48% in 30 days

What are Kristoff St. John's films like?

Across their 7 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Society.

Genres

Comedy2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 23rd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Thriller2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 4th percentile
: browse their Thriller movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
33%
Society
20%
Morality
20%
Self
16%
Power
11%
Community2 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception2 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds2 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 7 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 3 · Serious 2 · Dark 2

Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 7 · Stylized 0 · Heightened 0

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 3 · Charged 3 · Intense 1

Steady: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their steady movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

A split, not a type: Steady 3 · Shifting 4 · Whiplash 0

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 5 · Some laughs 2 · Funny 0

Slow burn: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their slow burn movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 6 · Even-paced 1 · Relentless 0

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 5 · Engaged 2 · Full focus 0

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 7 · Open-ended 0 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

2 analyzed roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
4
Romantic
2
Joyful
3
Dread
2
Warm
1
Other
5

How their films linger

Feel-good4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 2 with a twist

  • Happy3
  • Bittersweet3
  • Ambiguous1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Kristoff St. John's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 17 of their 23 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (7).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Kristoff St. John's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

38 credits, 23 with a MovieCove page; 5 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Home Is Where the Killer Is(2019)

    as Dr. Fredericks

    Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all films

  • A Christmas Cruise(2017)

    Producer · as Jake

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • A Baby for Christmas(2015)

    as Lawrence

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • Marry Us for Christmas(2014)

    as Lawrence

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • A Man Called God (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Director · Producer · Writer · as Self

  • Darkness Descends(2014)

    as Smitty

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • The First Family (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Show 1 episode · as CJ

  • The Bridge to Nowhere(2009)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Everybody Hates Chris(2005)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all shows

  • Pandora's Box(2002)

    as Victor DuBois

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Get Real (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Joe

  • Suddenly Susan(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as Patrick

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all shows

  • The Jamie Foxx Show(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as Morris

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all shows

  • Arli$$(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as Kyle Welles

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all shows

  • The Crew (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • Diagnosis Murder(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Kristoff St. John · as Sammy Garrett

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all shows

  • Hangin' with Mr. Cooper(1992)

    Show 6 episodes · as Eric

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all shows

  • Martin(1992)

    Show 1 episode · as Fred Livingston

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all shows

  • Family Matters(1989)

    Show 1 episode · as D'Andre

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all shows

  • Finish Line (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Tito Landreau

  • Jake and the Fatman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • A Different World(1987)

    Show 1 episode · as E.Z. Brooks

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all shows

  • Charlie & Co. (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 18 episodes · Actor

  • The Atlanta Child Murders (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 2 episodes · as Sheldon Kemp

  • The Cosby Show(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as David James

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all shows

  • Sister, Sister (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Danny Burton

  • An Innocent Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Mario

  • Foul Play (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Beulah Land (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    Show 3 episodes · as Young Roman

  • The Champ(1979)

    as Sonny

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • The Bad News Bears (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Show 26 episodes · as Ahmad Abdul Rahim

  • Roots: The Next Generations(1979)

    Show 1 episode · as Alex Haley, age 12

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • The Richard Pryor Special?(1977)

    as Kid

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • Big John, Little John (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Show 13 episodes · as Homer

  • Wonder Woman(1975)

    Show 1 episode · as Linc

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all shows

  • That's My Mama (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Happy Days(1974)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all shows

  • The Young and the Restless(1973)

    Show 63 episodes · as Neil Winters

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all shows

Career shape

Star power in the 64th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 37 titles from 1973 to 2019; peak year 1979.

Biggest box office

Pandora's Box (2002)

$882K worldwide

Highest rated

The Bridge to Nowhere (2009)

Midcredits 20th

Most popular right now

Darkness Descends (2014)

Film career

19732019

Peak 1979 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting36 of 37: 35 only acting, 1 with another role · typical Midcredits score44thDirecting1 of 37: 0 only directing, 1 with another roleWriting1 of 37: 0 only writing, 1 with another roleProducing2 of 37: 0 only producing, 2 with another role

By decade

1970s9 · acting1980s11 · acting1990s8 · acting2000s2 · acting2010s7 · 6 acting · 2 crew

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored.

How do Kristoff St. John's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 29th percentile, the median of all 9; across their 7 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 17th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

17thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 7

Approval · how many liked their films

27thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 7

Reach · how many have seen their films

44thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 7

Midcredits score across 23 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up3
  • 50th to 74th7
  • 25th to 49th6
  • Below 25th7

Shape of the crowd

10 of their 23 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Divisive1
  • Cult Classic3
  • Crowd Pleaser10
  • Mixed9

Most divisive · actor

The Young and the Restless (1973)

92nd percentile spread · 30% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

The Richard Pryor Special? (1977)

Midcredits 87th · 72% liked

Reviewers score the acting 33/100 in their films, across 6 reviewed titles; fans 68, detractors 19. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Who does Kristoff St. John work with?

People who share at least 2 of Kristoff St. John's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Chrystale Wilson shares the most, 3.

Writers

Actors

Editors

Producers