Sheryl UnderwoodMeanwhile, the late husband became the punchline The Roast by Kevin Hart when several comedians joked about his death in 1990.
While Underwood never publicly revealed her late husband’s full name — he only mentioned Michael — several media outlets have reported that she was married to him Michael Sparkman. Three years after they tied the knot, he died by suicide.
“You’ll never know. For people who think they know, you’ll never know,” Underwood continued The conversation in 2018. “You’ll never know if it’s clinical depression. You’ll never know if it’s financial stress. You’ll never know.”
She added: “This pain doesn’t go away.”
Underwood pointed out that people who “need help” should “get the help they need,” adding that those who are “left behind” should also “get help.”
Keep scrolling to learn all about Underwood’s husband:
What was said about Sheryl Underwood’s husband during ‘The Roast of Kevin Hart’?
Underwood’s late husband was mentioned twice on Netflix The Roast by Kevin Hart in May 2026 when several comedians shot at the former talk show host.
The host of the roast, Shane Gillisnoted that the jokes at the panel made him feel “terrible” and revealed that he called Underwood to let them know.
“Sheryl’s husband killed himself. Apparently Black gets his break when he’s married to Sheryl and jumps off a damn roof,” Gillis said as Underwood laughed. “I’m doing it from the balcony. I’m doing it from the upper decks. Fuck all these people down here.”
Controversial comedian Tony Hinchcliffe also made a joke about her late husband.
“Her husband committed suicide three years after marriage, I have been sitting next to her for two hours and I have to ask how he managed to last so long,” he said.
Underwood had to get revenge on both men later that evening.
Who was Sheryl Underwood’s husband?
Not many details are known about Underwood’s late husband. People reported that he was a chef and they married in 1987. In August 1990 it was announced that he had died by suicide.
“I’ll never forget it,” she told the publication in 2016 about the day he died. “I baked him a German chocolate cake that morning and said, ‘Put the bills in the mailbox and I’ll see you when you get home.’ It’s the most painful thing in the world because he’s not coming back.”
Michelle Williams, Lea Michele and more stars have opened up about dealing with their grief following unexpected deaths in their personal lives. The Dawson’s Creek alum met Heath Ledger after they played husband and wife in 2004’s Brokeback Mountain. The following year the couple had their daughter Matilda. Williams and Ledger broke up (…)
Did Sheryl Underwood remarry after her husband’s death?
Underwood has not married since her husband’s death.
What did Sheryl Underwood say about her husband’s death?
Underwood told People in 2016 that she was “stronger” since dealing with the aftermath of her husband’s death.
“You may never forget it, but if you remember it, you should make it better for the next person,” she said. “I wouldn’t change a thing in my life because I’ve learned so much about myself.”
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call 988, text or chat at 988lifeline.org.
