Bryton James gave more insight into what it has been like for him since his Young and the Restless co-star and on-screen father Kristoff St. John’s death.
In an interview with Soap Opera Digest, James said that St. John’s presence has been missed in the years after his death in 2019. “I miss so much sharing the stage with Kristoff,” he said. “He was such a big ball of energy and brought something to the show that we’ve been missing since he’s been gone. He’s irreplaceable. And Devon [James’ character on the soap opera] misses Neil’s [St. John’s character] advice and that he could talk to his dad about anything.
According to Soaps, James told General Hospital star Maurice Bernard on his State of Mind podcast in December how he didn't realize how much pain St. John was living with, including the death of his son, who died by suicide.
“Knowing what we know now, the only thing I regret is not staying more involved in his life outside of the set,” said James. “…I’ve never seen somebody suffer, in person, like that. It was the hardest thing to watch, the hardest thing to see, because you can’t do anything.”
St. John’s cause of death was from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. His death was ruled accidental because of his use of alcohol.
“For me…there was nothing negative about [St. John],” He said about working with St. John. “He was the most positive, light, ball of energy at work.”
If you or someone you know is suffering from suicidal ideation, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8225 or visit the lifeline’s website. Spanish-speakers can call 1-888-628-9454 and those who are deaf or hard of hearing can dial 711 before the main number.
