Sheryl Underwood is an American comedian, actress, and television host best known as the longest-running co-host of CBS's daytime talk show The Talk (2011–2024). Born October 28, 1963, she is 62 years old. Her husband, Michael, a chef she married in 1987 after seven years of dating, died by suicide in 1990 — just three years into their marriage. Her net worth is estimated at around $4 million.
Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Sheryl Patrice Underwood |
| Date of Birth | October 28, 1963 |
| Age | 62 |
| Birthplace | Little Rock, Arkansas |
| Profession | Comedian, Actress, Television Host |
| Known For | Co-host of The Talk (2011–2024); BET's ComicView host |
| Husband | Michael (married 1987; died 1990) |
| Children | None (no confirmed biological children) |
| Education | University of Illinois Chicago (B.A.); Governors State University (master's) |
| Estimated Net Worth | ~$4 million (estimate) |
Early Life
Sheryl Patrice Underwood was born on October 28, 1963, at St. Vincent Infirmary in Little Rock, Arkansas, to Cleo and Joyce Evelyn Underwood. She and her twin sister were born prematurely; her twin died soon afterward, and Underwood has said she carries her twin's birth certificate with her to this day.
She grew up amid domestic turmoil — she has spoken publicly about witnessing violence between her parents, including an incident in which her mother stabbed her father. She also revealed she was sexually assaulted as a young woman, once on her way to an Air Force Reserve station.
Underwood moved to Atwater, California, where she finished high school. She earned an associate degree from Fresno City College, a B.A. in liberal arts from the University of Illinois Chicago, and double master's degrees in media management and mass communication from Governors State University, plus an attorney assistant certificate from UCLA. She also served in the Air Force Reserves.
Comedy and Acting Career
Stand-Up Breakthrough
Underwood began her comedy career in the late 1980s, becoming the first female finalist in the 1989 Miller Lite Comedy Search. She went on to host BET's ComicView and became a fixture on the stand-up circuit, known for her sharp, bawdy, socially observant style.
Television and Film
In 2011, she joined CBS's daytime talk show The Talk as a co-host, a role she held until the show's final season in December 2024 — making her the program's longest-running co-host. She won a Daytime Emmy as part of the show.
Her acting credits include I Got the Hook Up (1998), Beauty Shop (2005), and guest spots on Def Comedy Jam, The Young and the Restless, The Bold and the Beautiful, and The View.
Radio and Business
Underwood is also a major radio personality, contributing to the Tom Joyner Morning Show and the Steve Harvey Morning Show, and launching her own syndicated program, Sheryl Underwood Radio, in 2013. She owns Pack Rat Productions and runs the Pack Rat Foundation for Education, which raises money for students at historically Black colleges and universities. She founded the African American Female Comedian Association and served as the 23rd international president of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority.
Husband and Family
Underwood married Michael, a chef, in 1987 after dating for about seven years. Michael struggled with severe clinical depression, and in August 1990 — three years into their marriage — he died by suicide. She kept the tragedy private for decades, first speaking about it publicly in 2011.
She has described the loss as a defining event of her life, telling audiences that the pain of losing a spouse to suicide never fully goes away, and urging both those struggling and those left behind to seek help.
The marriage produced no children, and there is no confirmed public record of Underwood having biological children. In 2026 she spoke candidly about still looking for love, joking about her modern conditions — including maintaining her own separate house.
She remains close to her family, including her older sister Frankie, who has developmental delays and requires around-the-clock care that Underwood helps fund.
Net Worth
Underwood's net worth is estimated at approximately $4 million (Celebrity Net Worth), built over a decades-long career spanning stand-up tours, more than a decade on daytime television, syndicated radio, acting roles, and brand work. Some outlets publish higher figures (up to ~$8 million), so all numbers should be treated as estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Sheryl Underwood's husband?
Michael, a chef. They dated for about seven years and married in 1987. He died by suicide in August 1990 after battling clinical depression.
How did Sheryl Underwood's husband die?
He died by suicide in August 1990, three years into their marriage, following a struggle with severe clinical depression. Underwood first spoke publicly about it in 2011.
How old is Sheryl Underwood?
Born October 28, 1963, she is 62 years old.
Does Sheryl Underwood have children?
No — there is no confirmed public record of her having biological children.
What is Sheryl Underwood's net worth?
Estimated at around $4 million, per Celebrity Net Worth.
Is Sheryl Underwood still on The Talk?
No. She co-hosted The Talk from September 2011 until the show ended in December 2024, becoming its longest-running co-host.