Erica Ash, a versatile actor renowned for her roles in “Real Husbands of Hollywood” on BET and the sketch comedy show “MADtv,” has died at the age of 46. Ash’s mother, Diann Ash, confirmed that she passed away in Los Angeles, California, following a prolonged fight with cancer. Erica was praised by her mother as an extraordinary woman and talented performer whose quick wit, humor, and vibrant spirit touched many lives.
Ash started her career in the entertainment industry in the early 2000s with roles in sketch-comedy series such as “The Big Gay Sketch Show” in 2006 and “MADtv” in 2008. She was recognized for her impersonations of notable figures like Michelle Obama and Condoleezza Rice.
In 2013, Ash’s career took a significant leap when she portrayed Kendra Brooks in the horror satire “Scary Movie V.” This role opened doors for her in several films, including “Jean of the Joneses” (2016), the sports comedy “Uncle Drew” (2018), and the indie drama “Violet” (2021), where she acted alongside Olivia Munn and Justin Theroux.
Ash’s television career was also noteworthy. She appeared in several episodes of the Jennifer Lopez-led police drama “Shades of Blue” and had a recurring role on the Starz series “Survivor’s Remorse” from 2014 to 2017. She also starred as attorney Gwen Sullivan in the 2018 BET legal drama series “In Contempt.”
Ash’s most prominent role was in the BET spoof series “Real Husbands of Hollywood,” where she played Bridgette Hart for four seasons. The show, a parody of reality TV shows, allowed Ash to showcase her comedic talents alongside Kevin Hart. BET remembered Ash as “equally witty and funny” in a statement posted to their Instagram page, extending their deepest condolences to her family.
As per IMDb, her last acting credit was earlier this year in an episode of the NBC sitcom “Extended Family.”
Although Ash had a successful acting career, it was not her initial career choice. She first studied medicine at Emory University before making a career change that led her to Japan, where she worked as a backup singer for a Japanese band and started pursuing acting.
In a 2017 interview with the LA Times, Ash expressed her approach to life: “I live my life like I’m writing a book. For me, it’s just about growing and moving forward.”
Ash’s influence went beyond her performance on screen. She was known for her active presence on social media, where she often shared her political views and humorous character portrayals. Her talent and dedication to her craft were admired by her colleagues and fans.
Comedian Loni Love, in a tribute on her “X” page, noted that Erica was both talented and hilarious. She emphasized Erica’s dedication to her work and her consistent presence. Love extended her condolences to Erica’s family, expressing her sorrow for Erica’s passing.
Ash’s death leaves a gap in the entertainment industry, where she was cherished for her ability to bring laughter and joy to her audience. Her family has requested donations to the Susan G. Komen Cancer Foundation or other breast cancer foundations in her memory, signifying her battle with the disease.
