Inside the Life of Sherrod Moore, Shemar Moore’s Father

We all know Shemar Moore — the Emmy-winning actor from Criminal Minds, S.W.A.T., and The Young and the Restless. He’s known for his charm, talent, and confidence on screen. But behind his big Hollywood success is a personal story many people don’t know. A story about a man named Sherrod Moore — Shemar Moore’s father.

Sherrod’s life was not lived in the spotlight. It was quiet, painful at times, and full of tough choices. Even though he wasn’t there to raise Shemar, he still had a deep impact on his life. In this article, we’ll take a simple and honest look at who Sherrod Moore was, what happened between him and his famous son, and why their story still matters in 2026.

Sherrod Moore Quick Bio

Who Was Sherrod Moore?

Sherrod Moore’s full name was Sherrod Franklin “Freedom” Moore. He was born on September 4, 1941, in the United States. He was proud of his African-American roots and lived through some of the hardest times in U.S. history.

In his younger years, Sherrod served as a U.S. Army veteran. That gave him strength and discipline. Later, he worked hard and even became the president of a glass company. But even with that success, most people never heard about him — not until much later when people started asking about Shemar Moore’s family.

Sherrod lived a private life. He wasn’t looking for fame. He didn’t give interviews. But the choices he made — good and bad — shaped the childhood and future of the son he barely knew.

Sherrod Moore and Shemar Moore’s Birth Story

In 1970, something special happened. Sherrod Moore and his partner Marilyn Joan Wilson had a baby boy. They named him Shemar — a mix of “She” from Sherrod and “Mar” from Marilyn. It was more than just a name. It was a sign of two very different worlds coming together.

Marilyn was a smart white woman with Irish and French-Canadian roots. Sherrod was a proud Black man. Their relationship wasn’t easy, especially at a time when interracial couples were judged and even threatened. But they didn’t let that stop them.

Sadly, their love didn’t last. While Shemar was just a baby, the couple split. And that was the beginning of a very long gap between father and son.

Sherrod Moore’s Relationship with Marilyn Wilson

Sherrod and Marilyn met during a time when racism was everywhere in America. They took a risk by being together. Their love was brave, but it was also difficult. People didn’t accept them. And over time, their relationship fell apart.

Shemar has talked about how his father wasn’t kind to his mother. In fact, Sherrod’s behavior got so serious that it led to a major incident — one that would change their lives forever. After that, Marilyn knew she had to leave. Not just the relationship, but the country.

She took her baby boy and left the U.S. behind. It was a bold move. But she knew it was the only way to keep Shemar safe from danger — and from his own father.

Why Sherrod Moore Left Shemar Moore’s Life

The truth is, Sherrod didn’t walk out quietly. His actions gave Marilyn no choice. Reports say he was abusive, and one violent event led to him being sent to prison for four years. That broke the family apart completely.

Shemar has said in interviews, “He wasn’t good to my mom.” That one line says a lot. It was more than a breakup. It was a painful and frightening time. Marilyn didn’t just want to leave a bad relationship — she wanted to escape a dangerous one.

She moved across the world to start over, taking baby Shemar with her. Far from the U.S., far from racism, and far from Sherrod Moore.

Sherrod Moore’s Time in Prison

Sherrod Moore was once a member of the Black Panthers, a group fighting for Black rights during the civil rights movement. He believed in justice and change. But that path brought trouble too.

He got arrested and ended up in San Quentin State Prison for four years. What exactly happened is still unclear. But Shemar later said, “My father ran with the Black Panthers… and got himself into some trouble.”

While Sherrod was behind bars, Shemar was growing up on the other side of the world. And those years — the ones that mattered most — were lost. That time in prison created a deep and painful gap between father and son.

How Shemar Moore Grew Up Without His Father

After Sherrod went to prison, Marilyn didn’t look back. She raised Shemar all by herself, and not just in the U.S. — she moved to Denmark and Bahrain, hoping for a better, safer life for her son. Shemar lived overseas until he was about six years old.

Marilyn was more than just a mom. She was a math teacher, a protector, and a role model. She taught Shemar how to believe in himself. He later said, “We were at the front of the line when they were handing out mothers and sons.” That’s how close they were.

Growing up without his dad wasn’t easy. Shemar has shared how he often wondered about his identity. Questions like: “Am I Black enough? Where do I fit in?” Those thoughts came from being mixed-race, and from not having a father around to help guide him.

Sherrod Moore’s Life After Prison

When Sherrod Moore got out of prison, his life changed. He didn’t return to the spotlight or try to reconnect with the world that had moved on. Instead, he lived a quiet and private life.

He worked for a glass repair company and later became the president of Millennium 2 Inc. He stayed out of trouble and seemed to focus on living peacefully. He wasn’t rich or famous, but he worked hard and stayed on his own path.

Even though he wasn’t in Shemar’s life during childhood, Sherrod was still trying to live a better life in his own way. He had learned lessons from the past, and in his later years, he tried to stay calm and simple.

Did Sherrod Moore and Shemar Moore Ever Reconnect?

As Shemar grew up and became a star, he made his own choices about his father. He didn’t pretend everything was okay. But he also didn’t hold on to hate.

Shemar once said, “My father is in my life… but on my terms.” That means he let Sherrod back in — but with clear boundaries. They were not close, but Shemar showed kindness. He even bought his dad a house when Sherrod was struggling.

It wasn’t a warm father-son relationship. But it was a form of forgiveness and respect. Shemar didn’t forget the pain, but he chose to rise above it. That’s real strength.

The Other Children of Sherrod Moore

Many people don’t know this, but Sherrod Moore had more children after Shemar. In his late 40s, he married a woman named Nobuko Takahashi. Together, they had four children — two sons and two daughters.

Here’s what we know about them:

• Kosheno Moore-Takahashi is an inclusion strategist.

• Sheburra Moore-Haugsness is a college professor with a Ph.D.

• Shenon Moore works as a fitness coach in Las Vegas.

• Romeo Moore keeps a very private life.

These siblings had a different experience. They grew up with Sherrod, unlike Shemar. It’s not clear if they are close to Shemar Moore, but they are all part of Sherrod Moore’s family legacy.

Sherrod Moore’s Final Years

In his later years, Sherrod stayed away from public life. He didn’t try to connect with media or follow Shemar into Hollywood. He lived quietly, peacefully, and simply.

He wasn’t looking for attention. Maybe he was just trying to enjoy the time he had left. Even if he couldn’t fix the past, he seemed to be at peace with his present.

Sherrod Moore, Shemar Moore’s father, chose a quiet ending to a life that had seen both pain and purpose.

Sherrod Moore’s Death and Shemar’s Response

In December 2019, Sherrod Moore passed away at the age of 78. Shemar confirmed it in early 2020 with a heartfelt message online. His words were full of honesty and regret.

He wrote, “I wish we had made time to get to know each other… but… we didn’t.” That one sentence said everything. Shemar wasn’t angry — he was sad that time ran out.

Only weeks later, Shemar’s mother, Marilyn Wilson, also passed away. Losing both parents so close together was heartbreaking. It forced Shemar to stop, reflect, and think deeply about family, life, and love.

Final Thoughts

Sherrod Moore wasn’t a perfect man. He made many mistakes. He was absent when it mattered most. But still, he was part of Shemar Moore’s journey.

Shemar took that pain and turned it into purpose. He honored his mother with a clothing brand, Baby Girl LLC, which helps fight multiple sclerosis — the disease that took Marilyn’s life.

And in January 2023, something beautiful happened. Shemar became a father himself. He and his girlfriend Jesiree Dizon welcomed a baby girl named Frankie. During the gender reveal, pink smoke filled the sky, and Shemar smiled with pride.

He said, “Grandma Marilyn is in heaven doing her happy dance.” And in that moment, something came full circle. From being a lost boy without a father to becoming a present and loving dad, Shemar Moore carried his family’s story forward.

Today, Shemar honors his parents in his own way — by living with strength, heart, and truth. And though Sherrod Moore, Shemar Moore’s father, is no longer here, his story continues through the son he helped bring into the world.

(FAQs)

How old was Sherrod Moore and when was he born?

He was born on September 4, 1941 and died in December 2019. He was 78 years old.

Was Sherrod Moore ever sent to jail?

He was arrested in the 1960s and spent 4 years in prison at San Quentin.

Did Sherrod Moore act in movies like Shemar Moore?

He was never an actor. He worked a regular job and stayed away from TV and movies.

Who was Sherrod Moore’s wife or girlfriend later in life?

He later married a woman named Nobuko Takahashi. They had four kids together.

Where did Sherrod Moore live before he died?

He lived a quiet life in the U.S., working at a glass repair company. He stayed private until he passed away in 2019.

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