Actress Erica Ash, recognized for her roles in the BET series “Real Husbands of Hollywood” and the sketch comedy “MADtv,” has died at the age of 46. Ash passed away in Los Angeles, California, on Sunday, July 28, 2024, after a lengthy cancer battle, as verified by her mother, Diann Ash. She was remembered by her mother as a talented performer and extraordinary woman who influenced many with her humor, quick wit, and energetic spirit.
Ash started her entertainment career in the early 2000s, featuring in sketch-comedy series such as “The Big Gay Sketch Show” in 2006 and “MADtv” in 2008. She was recognized for her portrayals of notable public figures like Michelle Obama and Condoleezza Rice.
In 2013, Ash landed her breakthrough role as Kendra Brooks in the horror satire “Scary Movie V.” This allowed her to secure significant roles in several films, including “Jean of the Joneses” (2016), the sports comedy “Uncle Drew” (2018), and the indie drama “Violet” (2021), alongside actors Olivia Munn and Justin Theroux.
Her television achievements were equally notable. Ash featured in several episodes of the Jennifer Lopez-led police drama “Shades of Blue,” had a recurring role on the Starz series “Survivor’s Remorse” between 2014 and 2017, and starred as attorney Gwen Sullivan in the 2018 BET legal drama “In Contempt.”
Ash was most renowned for her portrayal of Bridgette Hart on the BET parody series “Real Husbands of Hollywood,” appearing for four seasons. The show, a satire of reality TV, allowed Ash to display her comedic abilities alongside Kevin Hart. In a statement posted to their Instagram page on Monday, BET remembered Ash for her wit and humor and extended their deepest condolences to her family and friends.
According to IMDb, Ash’s final acting credit came earlier this year in an episode of the NBC sitcom “Extended Family.” Although Ash had a diverse acting portfolio in Hollywood, acting wasn’t her original career path. She initially studied medicine at Emory University before relocating to Japan, where she worked as a backup singer for a Japanese band and started her acting career.
In a 2017 interview with the LA Times, Ash stated, “I live my life like I’m writing a book. For me, it’s just about growing and moving forward.”
Ash was not only known for her acting but also for her social media engagement, where she often expressed her political views and shared humorous character portrayals. Both her colleagues and fans admired her for her talent and dedication to her profession.
Comedian Loni Love remembered Ash as a talented and hilarious individual on her “X” page on Monday. Love stated that Ash was always committed to her work and extended her deepest condolences to Ash’s family.
Ash’s death has created a significant loss in the entertainment industry, where she was loved for her ability to bring joy and laughter to her audiences. Her family has requested donations to the Susan G. Komen Cancer Foundation or other breast cancer foundations in her honor, reflecting her fight with the disease.