Why Shemar Moore Returns to Young and the Restless, Soap Opera Home

“I call my career high school, college, and graduate school: Eight years on Young and Restless…was high school,” he told TV Insider in an interview published April 2. “Then 11 years on Criminal Minds was college, then eight years on S.W.A.T. was graduate school.”

But while Shemar has built a stacked TV resume since The Young and the Restless, he admitted to not always being confident in his abilities.

“In the beginning, I was scared to death and nervous and insecure,” he continued, “and really thought they’re gonna realize I suck and tap me on the shoulder and say, ‘Oops, we made a mistake, go on home.’”

However, Shemar’s late costar Kristoff St. John, who played his onscreen brother on the soap opera, extended their fictional connection to the real world.

“Kristoff wrapped me up, and he said, ‘I got you. I’m gonna help you find your way,’” he explained. “He was a big brother to me on the screen. He was a big brother to me and a mentor in real life.”

And now Shemar is grateful to return to where he and Kristoff built their friendship. As he put it, “I feel humbled and honored and nostalgic.”

Of course, Shemar isn’t the only actor who got his start on a soap opera. Read on for more celebs with daytime TV roots.