Shemar Moore Had a 'Good Time' Dating Halle Berry, Toni Braxton in '90s 'I Became More Popular as 'That Guy' (Exclusive)

The 'S.W.A.T.' star and perennial heartthrob opens up about his celebrity dating history and thoughts on his sex symbol status in this week's issue

Shemar Moore has some pretty impressive ex files.

The S.W.A.T. star and 30-year Hollywood vet tells PEOPLE in this week's issue about his rise to fame and how before he was known for being a TV star he made a name for himself in the '90s attracting beautiful, successful women.

An only child born in Oakland, Calif. to Marilyn, a teacher, and Sherrod, an Army vet, Moore moved abroad with his mom as a baby. His parents split shortly after, and he didn’t return to the United States for many years.

Early on he struggled with his identity and appearance. “I’m half Black, half White. That was an insecurity as a kid. ‘Am I Black enough? I’ll never be White because I’m too Brown. Where do I fit in?’” he recalls. He credits his mom with giving him perspective. “She said, ‘Shemar, understand both families’ backgrounds, respect it all, 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 whatever reason they took a chance,” he says of the team behind The Young and the Restless.

Related: All About Shemar Moore's Daughter Frankie

During his many years on the soap, he formed a deep bond with onscreen brother Kristoff St. John, who died in 2019. “He had a family, I didn’t. He’d say, ‘Go, brotha, I want to see how high you can fly.’ He gave me that confidence.”

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

At the time, “Lovely ladies would look at me and say, ‘You want to hang out?’ and I’m like, ‘Duh!’ Initially I became more popular as ‘that guy’ than I did as an actor. I had a good time being single.” But, he adds, “I did it right — I was always honest.”

As for what kind of partner he was back then, "Anybody in my personal space through history, I strongly know they'd go, 'He was a punk sometimes. He got on my last nerve. But he kept it 100.'" That's a report card Moore is proud of.

Now 30 years later and happily dating girlfriend Jesiree Dizon, with whom he recently welcomed daughter Frankie, 1, Moore says he's still happy to be a sex symbol. That said, "It's a show," he admits. "I've told Jesiree and girlfriends in the past 'When I leave this house I put my cape on with dignity and honesty and I put on a show."

Related: WATCH: Inside Shemar Moore's 'Pinch Myself' Dream Home Where He's Raising His Daughter (Exclusive)

Back at home, there's no swooning fans. "I'm Babe, dad, and to the homies I'm Sham," he says. "I know I'm cool. I earned that. But I'm normal, I'm regular."

For more on Shemar Moore's life now as a new dad, pick up this week's issue, out Friday.