<Ul> <Li> Cane Ashby </Li> <Li> Charlie Ashby </Li> <Li> Mattie Ashby </Li> </Ul> <P> Neil Ellis Winters is a fictional character from the American CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless . Created and introduced by William J. Bell, the role has been portrayed by Kristoff St. John since 1991 . Neil is the most prominent and longest - running male African American character to appear on the series . </P> <P> Over the years, Neil's storylines have involved his marriages to Drucilla Winters (Victoria Rowell), as well as his conflict with his half - brother Malcolm Winters (Shemar Moore). Neil's first daughter, Lily Winters (Christel Khalil), was involved in a paternity storyline, with Neil and Malcolm as potential fathers . In 1994, Bill Bell had a delusional Drucilla sleep with Malcolm while she was married to Neil, leaving Dru pregnant, with both her and Malcolm unsure of the baby's paternity, while Neil believed he was the father . Bell chose not to follow up on this plot point, leaving it unresolved until 2005 when then - Executive Producer, John F. Smith, chose to revisit the storyline and revealed Malcolm as Lily's biological father . Neil and Drucilla have shared two marriages, as well as adopting a son, Devon Hamilton (Bryton James). Since Drucilla's presumed death in 2007, Neil has had numerous other romances, including Karen Taylor (Nia Peeples), Sofia Dupre (Julia Pace Mitchell), Leslie Michaelson (Angell Conwell), and Hilary Curtis (Mishael Morgan). St. John's portrayal of Neil has garnered a positive response over the years, awarding him two Daytime Emmy Awards and eight NAACP Image Awards . </P> <P> Lilana Novakovich of the Toronto Star characterized Neil as an "over-achiever". The Philadelphia Inquirer wrote that Neil was "a young and restless makeup company executive". In 1994, St. John described Neil as "the typical overachiever", stating he's "energetic and striving for the top spot at Jabot Cosmetics . He doesn't really see himself as a ladies man but rather quite sensual; he's very secure ." Neil is known for his pairing with Drucilla Winters (Victoria Rowell). Their romance began in 1991; St. John stated at the time that he wanted the series to "take its time as romance blossoms" between Neil and Drucilla . </P>

Where did neil go on young and restless