Shemar Moore Bio
Shemar Franklin Moore (born April 20, 1970) is an American actor recognized for his long career in television. He first gained widespread attention as Malcolm Winters on the CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless, a role that established him as a compelling dramatic performer. He later cemented his status as a leading man through his portrayal of Derek Morgan on Criminal Minds and Sergeant II Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson on S.W.A.T. In addition to his television work, Moore is also a model and producer, with a career that spans more than three decades.
Beyond acting, Moore has built a presence as a producer and presenter, including his years hosting the syndicated music series Soul Train. He has earned major industry recognition, including eight NAACP Image Awards and a Daytime Emmy Award. He remains active in entertainment while also supporting charitable causes tied to his family.
Early Life and Background
Shemar Franklin Moore was born in Oakland, California, the son of Marilyn Wilson, a teacher, and Sherrod Moore. His father was African-American, and his mother, who was born in the Roxbury neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts, was of Irish and French-Canadian descent. His mother held a degree in mathematics and worked as a teacher in Bahrain and Denmark. Moore cites civil unrest in the 1970s and the challenges of interracial relationships at the time as part of the reason his mother moved abroad with him during his early childhood.
Moore moved with his mother to Denmark as an infant, and later to Bahrain when he was four, where he attended a British private school until the age of seven. The family returned to the United States in 1977, settling first in Chico, California, before relocating to Palo Alto. As a gifted student, he attended The Nueva School in Hillsborough, California, and later graduated from Gunn High School in Palo Alto. His grandmother is from Quebec City, Canada, giving Moore a multicultural family background that shaped his early years.
Moore was awarded an athletic scholarship to attend Santa Clara University, where he played varsity baseball as both a pitcher and an outfielder throughout his four years on campus. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications with a minor in Theater Arts, an academic path that pointed him toward a future in performance. His college years also introduced him to modeling, which gave him early exposure to the entertainment industry.
Path to Acting
Moore’s first significant step into acting came in 1994, when he was cast as Malcolm Winters on the long-running CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless. The role quickly became his signature, earning him critical attention and a Daytime Emmy Award in 2000 for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series. He played the character for nearly a decade, making Malcolm Winters one of the most recognizable soap opera figures of the era. His performance on the show also helped him build a loyal audience that would follow him into primetime.
While still working on The Young and the Restless, Moore expanded his profile by taking on the role of host of the syndicated version of the music series Soul Train from 1999 to 2003. He also branched into film, appearing in The Brothers in 2001, and into other television work, including a role as Detective Jesse Reese on Birds of Prey from 2002 to 2003. These early projects allowed him to develop versatility across formats, from daytime drama to action-oriented prime-time television.
Shemar Moore Career
Early Career (1994-2004)
Moore’s earliest notable work was his debut on The Young and the Restless, where he played Malcolm Winters from 1994 to 2002. His performance earned him a Daytime Emmy Award in 2000 and several NAACP Image Awards, establishing him as a rising talent in television. He balanced his soap opera work with hosting duties on Soul Train and early film roles, building a steady foundation in the entertainment industry.
During this period, Moore also appeared in projects such as Motives in 2004 and the romantic comedy The Seat Filler. He took on a supporting role in Diary of a Mad Black Woman, further showcasing his range beyond daytime television. These roles prepared him for a transition into more prominent primetime work in the years ahead.
Breakthrough (2005-2017)
In 2005, Moore was cast as Derek Morgan in the original lineup of Criminal Minds, a role that would define much of his career. He played the character for 251 episodes across eleven seasons, becoming a central figure in one of CBS’s longest-running procedural dramas. His performance brought him widespread recognition and a People’s Choice Award nomination in 2016. He departed the series in March 2016, with his final episode, “A Beautiful Disaster,” serving as a notable moment in the show’s history.
Moore’s years on Criminal Minds elevated him to leading-man status and opened the door to larger projects. He continued to take on film work, including a role in Sonic the Hedgehog 2, announced in 2021, where he played G.U.N. Agent Randall Handel. He also became the face of Paycom’s “Unnecessary Action Hero” advertising campaign. His growing profile positioned him for the next major chapter of his career.
Lead Role on S.W.A.T. (2017-2025)
In February 2017, it was announced that Moore would star in CBS’s new series S.W.A.T., based on the 2003 film and the 1975 television series of the same name. He took on the lead role of Sergeant II Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson, a character that became one of his most defining parts. The show ran for eight seasons, concluding with its series finale in May 2025.
Moore’s work on S.W.A.T. reinforced his reputation as a capable lead in action-driven television. In May 2025, a spin-off series, S.W.A.T. EXILES, was announced, with Moore set to return as Hondo. The continued expansion of the S.W.A.T. franchise reflects his enduring popularity with audiences.
Notable Works and Milestones
Moore’s signature roles include Malcolm Winters on The Young and the Restless, Derek Morgan on Criminal Minds, and Sergeant II Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson on S.W.A.T. He has earned eight NAACP Image Awards and a 2000 Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series. His work across soap operas, procedural dramas, and action series has made him a recognizable figure in American television.
Shemar Moore Award Nominations
Shemar Franklin Moore has received several high-profile nominations throughout his career in television. His work on Criminal Minds earned him a People’s Choice Award nomination in 2016, reflecting his popularity with audiences during the show’s long run. Earlier in his career, his portrayal of Malcolm Winters on The Young and the Restless brought him industry recognition and helped establish him as a notable dramatic actor.
Shemar Moore Awards Won
Moore has won eight NAACP Image Awards across his career, a record that reflects his consistent impact on television. He also won the 2000 Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his role on The Young and the Restless. These honors underscore his standing as one of the most recognized leading men in American primetime and daytime television.
Shemar Moore Family
Moore is the son of Marilyn Wilson, a teacher, and Sherrod Moore. His mother, who was of Irish and French-Canadian descent, raised him largely on her own, taking him abroad during his early childhood. His grandmother is from Quebec City, Canada, giving Moore a wide-reaching family heritage.
Personal Life
Moore dated soccer player Shawna Gordon from 2014 to 2016, and later dated Quantico actress Anabelle Acosta in 2018. In January 2023, he announced that he and his girlfriend, Jesiree Dizon, were expecting their first child. Their daughter was born on January 24, 2023, and the couple remained together for several years before reports in January 2025 indicated they were no longer involved.
Outside of acting, Moore founded a retail clothing company called Baby Girl LLC, with profits directed toward fighting multiple sclerosis, a disease that affected his mother. The company’s name is drawn from a phrase used by his character Derek Morgan on Criminal Minds. He also works as a model, represented by DNA Model Management in New York City, and appeared on the cover of Men’s Fitness magazine in March 2009.
