Erica Ash, a renowned actress recognized for her roles in “Real Husbands of Hollywood” on BET and the sketch comedy “MADtv,” died on Sunday. The 46-year-old actress, who was battling cancer, died in Los Angeles, California, as confirmed by her mother, Diann Ash. Diann remembered her daughter as a gifted and notable performer with a vibrant spirit, known for her humor and wit.
Ash started her acting career in the early 2000s and was known for her various roles in sketch-comedy series like “The Big Gay Sketch Show” in 2006 and “MADtv” in 2008. Her impersonations of public figures such as Michelle Obama and Condoleezza Rice were particularly popular.
Her career breakthrough came in 2013 with her role as Kendra Brooks in the horror satire “Scary Movie V.” Following this, she landed noteworthy roles in films including “Jean of the Joneses” (2016), “Uncle Drew” (2018), and the indie drama “Violet” (2021), acting alongside Olivia Munn and Justin Theroux.
Her television roles were equally impressive with appearances in the Jennifer Lopez-led drama “Shades of Blue” and a recurring role on the Starz series “Survivor’s Remorse” from 2014 to 2017. She also played attorney Gwen Sullivan in the 2018 BET legal drama series “In Contempt.”
Ash’s most recognized role was on the BET spoof series “Real Husbands of Hollywood,” where she appeared for four seasons. Her portrayal of Bridgette Hart in this reality TV show parody was lauded for its humor. BET remembered her as witty and funny in a statement posted on Instagram, expressing their condolences to her family and friends.
As per IMDb, Ash’s final acting credit was in an episode of the NBC sitcom “Extended Family” earlier this year. Although she had a successful acting career, Ash initially studied medicine at Emory University but later moved to Japan to work as a backup singer for a band and started acting.
She described her life journey in a 2017 interview with the LA Times: “I live my life like I’m writing a book,” she said. “For me, it’s just about growing and moving forward.”
Ash’s influence extended beyond her on-screen roles. She was also known for her engaging presence on social media, often sharing her political views and comical character portrayals. Her colleagues and fans admired her dedication to her craft.
Comedian Loni Love paid tribute to Ash on her “X” page on Monday, describing her as talented and hilarious. Love extended her heartfelt condolences to Erica’s family.
Ash’s death left a significant gap in the entertainment industry, where her ability to bring joy and laughter was cherished. In her memory, her family has requested donations to the Susan G. Komen Cancer Foundation or other breast cancer foundations, reflecting her battle with the disease.
