Sheryl Lee Ralph was involved in a car accident this week

Host Stephen Colbert asked his guest: "I've got to name the elephant in the room: What is the accessory you are wearing there?"

Sheryl replied: "Man, I was in a car accident! The car went over the loading dock. We went nose down and said, 'Wait a minute, I'm here tonight with Stephen Colbert!' "

The 68-year-old actress then clarified the accident had actually happened on 7 April, but she didn't let it stop her working.

She added: "The adrenaline kicked in so much. I was on my way to a speaking engagement in the car. It was terrible.

"But I felt like, 'OK, move forward, move forward. They got half the money already, so I might as well go in and finish the job. I showed up and it went so well."

Sheryl went on to accept an award from the MCC Theater in New York City that night but felt the effects the following day as she woke up feeling "terrible".

She said: "I woke up Tuesday feeling like I had done 12 rounds with Muhammad Ali."

Stephen then joked her sling matched her sparkly black dress.

Sheryl replied: "It was terrible. But this is all I got, and I've got you right there.

"Life is short, people. Remember that!"

Later in the interview, Sheryl joked about her injury again when talking about her upcoming Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremony, which is due to take place next week with her 'Abbot Elementary' co-star Quinta Brunson set to pay tribute to her.

She quipped: "And I'm alive to be there."

But growing more serious, the veteran actress admitted she hopes the accolade will inspire others.

She said: "Stephen, for me, having a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, it's really not so much for me but for all the other artists and really people out there on the grind who think that they are unseen, think that it can't happen for them. It can actually happen for you!"