Sheryl Underwood
Sheryl Underwood is a force of nature in entertainment, transitioning from a trailblazing stand-up comedian to a beloved and long-serving co-host on daytime television. Her journey is one of resilience, humor, and a deep commitment to community. Join us as we explore the remarkable life and career of a woman who has captivated audiences and inspired change, both on and off screen. Sheryl Underwood broke barriers in the comedy world before becoming a television icon, showcasing her versatility across various media platforms. Beyond her public persona, Underwood is a dedicated advocate and leader, profoundly involved in sisterhood organizations and caregiving for her family. Her life story includes navigating personal tragedy with courage, using her experiences to promote awareness and support for others.
AI Summary
Sheryl Underwood is a force of nature in entertainment, transitioning from a trailblazing stand-up comedian to a beloved and long-serving co-host on daytime television. Her journey is one of resilience, humor, and a deep commitment to community. Join us as we explore the remarkable life and career of a woman who has captivated audiences and inspired change, both on and off screen.
- Sheryl Underwood broke barriers in the comedy world before becoming a television icon, showcasing her versatility across various media platforms.
- Beyond her public persona, Underwood is a dedicated advocate and leader, profoundly involved in sisterhood organizations and caregiving for her family.
- Her life story includes navigating personal tragedy with courage, using her experiences to promote awareness and support for others.
The Unforgettable Sheryl Underwood
Born in Little Rock, Arkansas, and later growing up in Atwater, California, Sheryl Patrice Underwood's early life laid the groundwork for her incredible resilience. From a young age, she understood the importance of family, becoming the devoted caregiver for her sister, Frankie, who was diagnosed with polio.
A Path Less Traveled: Military Service
Before she lit up comedy stages, Underwood served her country. She joined the United States Air Force after college, dedicating two years to the reserves. It's a testament to her diverse capabilities and disciplined spirit that she embraced such different worlds.
Cracking the Comedy Code
In 1989, Sheryl Underwood made history, becoming the first female finalist in the prestigious Miller Lite Comedy Search. This achievement wasn't just a personal win—it was a significant stride for women in the male-dominated world of stand-up comedy, marking her as a talent to watch.
Awards and Recognition
Her comedic prowess didn't go unnoticed. Underwood consistently earned accolades, winning the BET 'Funniest Female Comedian on Comic View' award in 1994. A decade later, she clinched the BET Comedy Awards' Platinum Mic Viewers Choice Award in 2005, cementing her status as a comedic powerhouse.
Expanding Her Horizons: Acting Roles
With her stand-up success as a springboard, Underwood ventured into acting. She graced the big screen in a number of minor but memorable roles, including 'Bad Mouth Bessie' in the 1998 film 'I Got the Hook Up' and 'Catfish Rita' in the 2005 comedy 'Beauty Shop'.
From Stand-Up Stages to Hosting Desks
Underwood's charisma wasn't limited to joke delivery. She took her dynamic personality to hosting, leading BET's popular 'Comic View' and executive producing and hosting her own limited-run comedy/variety series, 'Holla', from late 2002 to early 2003.
The Voice of Radio
Her voice resonated beyond television. Underwood was a frequent contributor to nationally syndicated radio shows like the 'Tom Joyner Morning Show' and 'The Steve Harvey Morning Show'. She even hosted her own programs, 'Sheryl Underwood and Company' and 'The Sheryl Underwood Show' on Jamie Foxx's Sirius Satellite Radio channel, The Foxxhole.
A Decade on The Talk
In 2011, Sheryl Underwood joined the CBS Daytime talk show 'The Talk' in its second season, stepping into a role previously held by Leah Remini. What began as a new chapter blossomed into a remarkable thirteen-year tenure, making her the show's longest-running co-host until its conclusion in December 2024.
During her time on 'The Talk', Underwood earned widespread acclaim, including a coveted Daytime Emmy Award in 2017. Her insightful commentary, heartfelt vulnerability, and undeniable humor resonated with millions, leading to a total of seven Emmy nominations for her work on the show.
Life After The Talk
As one chapter closed, another opened. In 2022, even before 'The Talk' ended, Underwood signed a multi-year development deal with CBS Studios, signaling exciting new projects on the horizon and confirming her enduring impact on the network.
Beyond the Spotlight: Personal Commitments
Despite her bustling career, Sheryl Underwood prioritizes her personal growth and community involvement. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago, along with master's degrees in media management and mass communication from Governors State University—a true lifelong learner.
Leading with Sisterhood: Zeta Phi Beta
Underwood is a proud lifetime member of Zeta Phi Beta sorority, an organization she joined in 1990. Her dedication runs deep, serving in numerous leadership roles from chapter president to National Chair of Honorary Members, and eventually reaching the pinnacle as International Grand Basileus.
Her election as the 23rd International Grand Basileus in 2008 was a significant moment, though it faced initial challenges. A legal dispute attempting to unseat her was ultimately dismissed, affirming her leadership and commitment to the sorority's enduring legacy.
A Personal Tragedy: Love and Loss
In a deeply personal revelation, Underwood shared that her husband, whom she had dated for seven years, died by suicide after just three years of marriage. This profound loss, potentially linked to clinical depression, prompted her to speak openly about mental health, offering solace and understanding to others.
Political Views and Activism
Interestingly, Underwood identifies as a lifelong Republican, yet she famously campaigned for Barack Obama's re-election in 2012 and Hillary Clinton in 2016. She explained her stance as a strategic move to protect President Obama's legacy, understanding that low voter turnout could benefit opposing candidates.
Her commitment to community extends further; she is an active member of the National Council of Negro Women and the NAACP. Demonstrating her dedication to empowering her peers, Underwood also founded the African-American Female Comedian Association, fostering a supportive environment for Black women in comedy.
From making audiences roar with laughter to leading vital organizations and sharing her vulnerability, Sheryl Underwood continues to inspire. Her journey is a powerful reminder that authenticity, resilience, and a touch of humor can leave an indelible mark on the world.
Article
Sheryl Underwood
Sheryl Patrice Underwood (born October 28, 1963) is an American comedian, actress and television host. She first rose to prominence in the comedy world as the first female finalist in 1989's Miller Lite Comedy Search. Underwood was one of the hosts on the CBS Daytime talk show The Talk from September 2011 to December 2024, becoming the show's longest running co-host. She received a Daytime Emmy Award in 2017 and overall has been nominated seven times.
Early life
Sheryl Underwood
Underwood was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, and later moved to Atwater, California, where she attended high school. Her sister, Frankie, was diagnosed with polio. Sheryl is now Frankie's caregiver.
Professional career
Sheryl Underwood
After graduating college, Underwood joined the United States Air Force, where she served two years in the reserves. She later gained public notice as the first female finalist in the Miller Lite Comedy Search in 1989. She won the BET "Funniest Female Comedian on Comic View" award in 1994 and the BET Comedy Awards' Platinum Mic Viewers Choice Award in 2005.
Following her stand up success, Underwood took a number of minor acting roles, including Bad Mouth Bessie in the 1998 film I Got the Hook Up and Catfish Rita in the 2005 film Beauty Shop.
Underwood was the host of BET's Comic View and executive producer and host of the limited run comedy/variety series Holla (September 2002 – January 2003).
Sheryl Underwood with a soldier at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, December 12, 2007, as a part of the Sgt. Maj. of the Army's Hope and Freedom tour to entertain deployed troops.
The Talk co-hosts Julie Chen Moonves, Aisha Tyler, Sharon Osbourne, Sara Gilbert and Sheryl Underwood in 2012.
Underwood was a contributor on the nationally syndicated Tom Joyner Morning Show until June 2010 when she joined The Steve Harvey Morning Show as a contributor. She briefly hosted her own radio program, Sheryl Underwood and Company, for Radio One-owned Syndication One News/Talk and XM Satellite Radio's Channel 169 (The Power). On Tuesday nights, Underwood hosts The Sheryl Underwood Show on Jamie Foxx's Sirius Satellite Radio channel, The Foxxhole (Sirius 106)
In 2011, Underwood became a co-host of the CBS Daytime talk show The Talk in its second season, replacing Leah Remini. She remained on the show until it ended in December 2024.
Underwood signed a multi-year development deal with CBS Studios in 2022.
Personal life
Sheryl Underwood
Underwood holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in liberal arts from the University of Illinois at Chicago and master's degrees in media management and mass communication from Governors State University. Underwood once served in the U.S. Armed Forces, and frequently makes jokes about "all the creative places you can get busy on a military base."
Underwood identifies as a lifelong Republican. However, she campaigned for Barack Obama's re-election in 2012 United States presidential election. Underwood also campaigned for Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election "because we have to protect the legacy of President Obama. Low voter turnout benefits Donald Trump and the Republicans. He can't win."
Underwood is a lifetime member of Zeta Phi Beta sorority, first joining in 1990. She served as president of the organization's Omicron Rho Zeta chapter, as the National Chair of Honorary Members, National Executive Board Chair and International Grand Basileus.
In addition to Zeta Phi Beta, Underwood is also a member of the National Council of Negro Women and the NAACP. She also founded the African-American Female Comedian Association.
In the fall of 2011, Underwood revealed that after dating seven years, her husband—who might have suffered from clinical depression—died by suicide after they had been married three years.
Zeta Phi Beta presidency
Underwood was elected as the 23rd International Grand Basileus (President) during Zeta Phi Beta's biennial business meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada in 2008. Her election as Grand Basileus was disputed, but District of Columbia Superior Court Judge Gerald I. Fisher dismissed a lawsuit against the sorority and Underwood that asked the court to unseat her.
Filmography
Sheryl Underwood
<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Work</th><th>Role</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1992</td><td>Def Comedy Jam</td><td>Frequent Performer</td></tr><tr><td>1993</td><td>Soul Train Comedy Awards</td><td>Presenter</td></tr><tr><td>1997</td><td>Make Me Laugh</td><td>Herself</td></tr><tr><td>1998</td><td>Bulworth</td><td>Woman in Frankie's</td></tr><tr><td>I Got the Hook-Up</td><td>Bad Mouth Bessie</td></tr><tr><td>2000</td><td>Oh Drama! (TV series)</td><td>Host</td></tr><tr><td>2001</td><td>Nikki (episode: "Working Girl")</td><td>Janet</td></tr><tr><td>2002</td><td>Holla</td><td>Host Executive Producer</td></tr><tr><td>Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn</td><td>Herself</td></tr><tr><td>2004</td><td>BET Comedy Awards</td></tr><tr><td>2005</td><td>Beauty Shop</td><td>Catfish Rita</td></tr><tr><td>The 2nd Annual BET Comedy Awards</td><td>Herself</td></tr><tr><td>Weekends at the D.L.</td></tr><tr><td>Made You Look: Top 25 Moments of BET History</td></tr><tr><td>Getting Played</td></tr><tr><td>2007</td><td>Baisden After Dark</td></tr><tr><td>2011</td><td>Comics Unleashed</td></tr><tr><td>2011–2024</td><td>The Talk</td><td>Co-host</td></tr><tr><td>2012–13</td><td>The Young and the Restless</td><td>Justice of the Peace</td></tr><tr><td>2016</td><td>The Bold and the Beautiful (2016, 2018)</td><td>Emmy</td></tr><tr><td>Supergirl (episode: "Falling")</td><td>Herself</td></tr><tr><td>The Odd Couple</td><td>Diane</td></tr><tr><td>2017–19</td><td>Funny You Should Ask</td><td>Herself</td></tr><tr><td>2018</td><td>Jane the Virgin (episode: "Chapter Seventy-Four")</td><td>Herself</td></tr><tr><td>2019</td><td>I Got the Hook Up 2</td><td>Bad Mouth Bessie</td></tr></tbody></table>