Do you remember Shemar Moore’s portrayal of Malcolm Winters on The Young and the Restless? The actor who left Genoa City in 2005 took a nostalgic dive back to where it all began! He reminisced about his early days on CBS soap and the incredible person who lit up his path to stardom. Read further to get the full scoop!

Shemar Remembers Words of Wisdom

The Young and the Restless alum made an appearance on The Talk, where he looked back at his soap life. Shemar began, “April 6, 1994, I got hired as Malcolm Winters on the CBS soap.” Moreover, he revealed how thrilled he was just imagining himself on TV! However, the initial joy fizzled out, and reality hit hard and fast! “I got freaked out, like, ‘Oh my God, I’m not gonna be good enough,’” Moore thought.

As funny as it sounds, he thought he would be made to pack his bag and bolt out in no time. The imposter syndrome was too real in Shemar’s case. That’s when the legendary Kristoff St. John, who played his on-screen brother Neil Winters, swooped in like a superhero. Additionally, the actor gave Shemar a pep talk that stayed with him forever.

He was scared out of his mind but Kristoff saw that and embraced him right away while uttering magical words. “You’re scared. You’re nervous. You’re green. But you’ve got heart, and you’ve got raw talent,” John said to Moore. Subsequently, his words struck a chord, giving Shemar the confidence to own his role and thrive in the soap realm.

But who knew those humble beginnings on Y&R were just the start? The Y&R star didn’t just survive but soared like a kite. Moore even earned a Daytime Emmy and then got prime-time success with Criminal Minds. Currently, he’s leading the charge in SWAT, which is heading into its final season. Quite a glow-up, right? Sadly, Kristoff St. John passed away in 2019 at the age of fifty-two.

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But he left behind an unforgettable legacy! He was a child actor who had appeared on shows like Happy Days and The Cosby Show. Furthermore, Kristoff left a lasting impression with his role in Generations before becoming a Y&R fan-favorite in 1991.

Even though Kristoff is no longer around, his wisdom bombs continue to fuel Shemar’s journey to greatness. Don’t miss out on more updates on The Young and the Restless celebs at Soap Opera Daily. What do you think about this strong bond between Shemar and Kristoff?