Underwood Upset Black Fans With Sex Role

Underwood, the first African-American actor to join the sitcom's predominantly white cast, played Miranda Hobbs' boyfriend, Dr. Robert Leeds - a role which he claims didn't meet the approval of some fans.

But the Dirty Sexy Money star insists his female fans relented after learning he has been married to Desiree DaCosta, a black woman, for 13 years.

He says, "In terms of the black female audience, usually in your body of work if you've proven that you love your sisters (black women) and will come back home, they will give you a pass when you jump ship.

"I hear it all the time. I heard, 'We'll get you a pass because we know you're married to a black woman.'"