Shemar Moore on the Future of More Seasons of “S.W.A.T.”: 'You Have to Talk to My Knees' (Exclusive)

The star reflects on 30 years in Hollywood and how he recently helped rescue his beloved CBS crime show from cancellation

Shemar Moore knows how to get a win.

Like when the star sends a beanbag flying 30 ft. through the air in his backyard, sinking it right into its target. “That’s what I’m talking about, baby, yeah!” the actor and 2023 Superhole cornhole champion exclaims, showing off his skills during his recent PEOPLE shoot for this week's issue.

At 54, the first-time dad to 21-month-old daughter Frankie (with girlfriend Jesiree Dizon) has figured out what it takes to make magic happen in more ways than one. “It’s skill, it’s hunger, it’s determination, it’s passion, it’s humility and a whole bunch of luck,” he says, “It has to be a perfect storm, and I’m a product of exactly that.”

Related: All About Shemar Moore's Daughter Frankie

Recently the star and perennial heartthrob used that special sauce to help rescue S.W.A.T., the CBS police procedural he’s led since 2017, from extinction.

“To get canceled twice in a row and to get uncanceled twice in a row, I give kudos to me running my mouth on social media,” he says. “Nothing lasts forever, but I fight.”

Now Moore has suited up again as Sergeant Hondo for season 8. “I’m the leader of this team, which I’m very proud of,” he says.

Related: Shemar Moore Shares His Pride and Gratitude as S.W.A.T. Secures Season 8: 'I'm Not Done Being Hondo' (Exclusive)

Another source of great pride: It’s now been 30 years since Moore first hit the small screen as a bright-eyed young soap actor on The Young and the Restless, where he remained on and off for 10 years.

Shortly after his daytime debut Moore gained notoriety for dating a handful of beautiful superstars like Halle Berry and Toni Braxton, but he never let his dashing good looks and bachelor lifestyle get in the way of the work. After hosting Soul Train for four years, he broke through in 2005, starring in Tyler Perry’s Diary of a Mad Black Woman and landing a series-regular role on Criminal Minds, where he stayed for 11 seasons.

As for how many seasons he thinks he'll have with S.W.A.T., the star says that depends on nature.

"Everybody at S.W.A.T. wants season 13. And I'm like, "You've got to talk to my knees, boy. It ain't no joke," he says with a laugh. "Hey, I'm 54. It ain't like it was. It's harder and harder running around, jumping over cars and playing tough guy and trying to keep that six-pack together."

That said, he's still loving every bit of it. When he recently got the news that S.W.A.T. would be alive for another season, "I partied like a rock star," he says of hosting a cast and crew celebration. "Doors closing and then kicking down doors is a very scary, fun thing. And that's how I live life."

New episodes of S.W.A.T. premiere on Fridays at 8 p.m. ET on CBS.