SHEMAR MOORE aspired to a career in professional baseball. A gifted player who excelled in many sports, Shemar attended college on an athletic scholarship. Even in high school, professional baseball teams scouted the young pitcher, who could throw a fast ball at an amazing 94 mph. When tendonitis in his landing knee affected his performance on the mound, Shemar turned his dream to acting.
He had done some modeled during his college years to help with expenses. When the powers that be at “The Young and the Restless” saw some of his photos, Shemar was called to read for a part they were casting. At the time, soap operas were expanding the roles of black cast members by giving them meatier storylines. Competing with scores of other young hopefuls, Shemar was selected for the role of Malcolm Winters.
He quickly became a favorite with the audience and emerged as daytime’s first Afro-American heartthrob. Shemar charmed fans of all colors with his engaging smile and boyish good looks. Although his acting range was at first limited, Shemar quickly evolved into a highly competent performer. During his years on “The Young and the Restless,” he was the recipient of 5 NAACP Image Awards, a Daytime Emmy in 2000 for Outstanding Supporting Actor, and numerous other award nominations.
Shemar has had guest roles in numerous television programs, and has also starred in several movies. His most notable roles were portraying bad boy Emery Simms in the steamy thriller, “Motives,” and the sensitive Orlando in “Diary of a Mad Black Woman.” He hosted “Soul Train” for five seasons, and was the male lead in the cult classic “Birds of Prey” TV series in 2002. Currently, Shemar plays FBI profiler, Derek Morgan, on the hit TV show, “Criminal Minds,” now in it’s forth season on CBS.
In a cause close to his heart, Shemar has given his time and celebrity to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. His mother, Marilyn Wilson-Moore, suffers from MS. For the past three years, he has participated in the Southern California Bike MS Ride, riding his bike 100 miles with a team of cast mates and crew from “Criminal Minds.” Shemar’s work on behalf of the MS Society had helped increase public awareness of the disease and to raise fund for research.
“Criminal Minds,” can be seen on Wednesday nights at 9 p.m.
