Shemar Moore Reflects on His Mother's Legacy and Fatherhood Journey
Shemar Moore, the beloved actor, shares how the loss of his mother profoundly transformed his life. "My life and my career was to make her proud," he tells PEOPLE, reflecting on his mother, who passed away in 2020. "I miss her tremendously."
Prior to his mother’s passing, fatherhood was not Moore's priority. However, following her sudden death, everything changed dramatically for him. "When my mother passed, I felt like I effed up," he admits. His mother, Marylin Joan Wilson-Moore, succumbed to multiple sclerosis along with a heart condition.
At that moment, Moore was on the brink of concluding nearly three decades in acting. He recalls feeling "selfish" regarding his life choices and priorities. "I chased my career so hard," he says. "But in that pursuit of not failing, what are you sacrificing? What are you losing?"
A Shift in Perspective
Marylin’s death forced the S.W.A.T. star to face the consequences of his choices. "I was like, 'Wow, I was selfish.' I made it all about me," he explains. This realization struck deeply. "All she ever wanted was to be a grandma." He adds, "It was her dream, and I still feel guilty about it."
In January 2023, he embraced fatherhood with the birth of his daughter Frankie, just before the third anniversary of his mother's death. This new chapter has altered his approach to acting. "I just want to perform from a passionate place," he shares. "Whether a lot of people watch or a few people watch... I just want to make my momma proud."
Reflecting on his loss, Moore considers it both "the toughest time in my personal life" and "the toughest time in my career." His mother, his best friend and greatest inspiration, raised him to think critically and live authentically. "We talked about sex, drugs, religion, and politics. She gave me structure and hope," he recalls.
Coping with Loss
The shock of her death compounded Moore's grief: "I didn't realize she was going." He admits, "I don’t know if it would have been different if there’d been signs." The day he learned of her passing felt surreal, the news slapping him like a harsh wake-up call.
Moore acknowledges that his mother had health struggles since her multiple sclerosis diagnosis in 1999. Despite wanting to care for others, "she didn't know how to take care of herself." Moore, as the only child, found it challenging to provide round-the-clock support.
"This was the hardest life moment, and it affected my career," he states. "It made me angry, it makes me sad, but it makes me fiercely stronger." Now, Moore sets his sights on becoming the best version of himself and the best father to Frankie. "I strive to be the best damn daddy that I never had for her."
Earlier, SSP wrote that Jessica Simpson celebrated 7 years of sobriety.
