Shemar Moore has some pretty impressive ex-files.

THE CRUSH star and 30-year Hollywood veteran tells PEOPLE in this week’s issue about his rise to fame and how, before he was known as a TV star, he made a name for himself in the ’90s as attracting beautiful, successful women.

An only child born in Oakland, California, to Marilyn, a teacher, and Sherrod, an Army veteran, Moore moved overseas with his mother when he was an infant. His parents separated soon after, and he did not return to the United States for many years.

At first, he struggled with his identity and appearance. “I’m half black, half white. It was an insecurity when I was a child. “Am I black enough? I will never be white because I am too brown. Where do I fit in?’ “, he remembers. He thanks his mother for giving him perspective. “She said, ‘Shemar, understand the background of both families, respect everything, but just be yourself.’ »

While attending Santa Clara University, Moore found success in modeling before landing the audition that would change his life. “They looked at me and for some reason they took a chance,” he says of the team behind The Young and the Restless.

During his many years on the soap, he formed a deep bond with his on-screen brother Kristoff St. Johndied in 2019. “He had a family, I didn’t. He said, “Go ahead, brother, I want to see how high you can fly.” » He gave me this confidence.

Moore’s high-profile romances also gave his ego a boost. “I had a pretty good entry into Hollywood,” Moore says. Early in his career, he became known as “the guy who dated Halle Berry (in 1997) and Tony Braxton (in 1995),” he said.

At the time, “pretty ladies would look at me and say, ‘Do you want to go out?’ and I’m like ‘Duh!’ At first, I became more popular as “that guy” than as an actor. I had a great time being single. But, he adds, “I did it well – I was always honest.”

As for what kind of partner he was back then, “anyone in my personal space throughout history, I know for a fact they would say, ‘He was a punk sometimes. He put me on edge. But he kept it at 100.'” It’s a report card Moore is proud of.

Now 30 years later and I’m happily dating girlfriend Jesiree Dizonwith whom he recently welcomed daughter Frankie1, Moore says he’s still happy being a sex symbol. That said, “it’s a spectacle,” he admits. “I already told Jesiree and my friends, ‘When I leave this house, I put on my cape with dignity and honesty and I put on a show.’

Back home, there are no fainting fans. “My name is Babe, Dad, and to my friends, I’m Sham,” he says. “I know I’m cool. I deserved it. But I’m normal, I’m regular.”

To read more about Shemar Moore’s life as a new father, check out this week’s issue, out Friday.