The Bold and the Beautiful Star Obba Babatundé Talks ‘Dancing’ with Shemar Moore

Fans of The Bold and the Beautiful know him as Julius Avant, Maya’s (Karla Mosley) not-always-accepting dad. Away from BB, Julius’ portrayer, Obba Babatundé, plays the father to Shemar Moore (Hondo) on the nighttime police drama S.W.A.T.

Soap Hub recently caught up with Babatundé at the RSVP Secret Room Events gifting lounge in honor of the Golden Globes to see what the actor has been up to! Read on for the scoop!

Obba Babatundé: In Prime Time

What’s it like playing Shemar’s (ex-Malcolm, The Young and the Restless) dad, Daniel, Sr., on S.W.A.T.?
Obba Babatundé: It’s interesting because we’ve almost become like father and son [off-screen]. He calls me ‘Pops.’ I enjoy being on the show and particularly working with Shemar. We have a connection that shows through in our work. I look forward to our ‘dancing’ together.

Working With Shemar Moore

Viewers can always learn more about a character after they are introduced to a character’s family member. What have we learned about Hondo by seeing him interact with his dad?
That’s a great question. One of the most important things that we were most able to identify is what happens when you’re estranged with [a] a parent [or] a child. Now, they’re coming back together. What does that mean? How does that happen? We identify how much of one is in the other.

At times, Hondo (Moore) is the dad and other times, Daniel Sr., my character, is the dad for Hondo. There’s a magical evolution that’s going on in our relationship. The fans seem to love it. And I’m having the time of my life on S.W.A.T.!

There’s something else you and Shemar Moore have in common — you’ve each won a Daytime Emmy. Shemar took home in the gold in 1998 for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series. In 2016, you won for Outstanding Special Guest Performer in a Drama Series. Congrats, and where do you keep your ‘golden girl?’
Thank you! Mine is sitting right in my living room on the mantel. It’s the center of attraction!

S.W.A.T. airs on Thursdays at 10 p.m. ET on CBS. The Bold and the Beautiful airs weekdays on CBS. Check local listings for air times.