Sheryl Underwood’s late husband became a punchline during The Roast of Kevin Hart when several comedians made jokes referencing his 1990 death.
While Underwood has never publicly disclosed her late husband’s full name — only referring to him has Michael — several outlets have reported that she was married to Michael Sparkman. Three years after they tied the knot, he died by suicide.
“You will never know. For people who think they know, you will never know,” Underwood said on The Talk 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, “That pain does not — it doesn’t go away.”
Underwood noted that people who “need help” should “get the help that they need,” adding that those “left behind” should also “get help.”
Keep scrolling for everything to know 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 during Netflix’s The Roast of Kevin Hart in May 2026 as several comedians took shots at the former talk show host.
The roast’s host, Shane Gillis, noted that he felt “terrible” about the jokes while at the podium, revealing that he called Underwood to give her a head’s up.
“Sheryl’s husband killed himself. Apparently, Black does crack if it’s married to Sheryl and jumps off a f***ing roof,” Gillis said as Underwood laughed. “I do it from the balcony. I do it from the upper decks. F*** all these people down here.”
Underwood told People in 2016 that she’s “stronger” since dealing with the aftermath of her husband’s death.
“You may never forget it, but in remembering it you should make it better for the next person,” she said. “I wouldn’t change anything in my life, because I have learned so much about myself.”
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