Erica Ash, known for her roles on Fox's Mad TV, BET's Real Husbands of Hollywood, and Starz's Survivor’s Remorse, has died at age 46. Her
publicist, Elizabeth Much, shared that Ash passed away on Sunday in Los Angeles after a long fight with cancer.
"Erica was an amazing woman and talented entertainer who touched countless lives with her sharp wit, humor, and genuine zest for life," her family said. "Her memory will live eternally in our hearts."
Ash played Gwen Sullivan, a fierce public defender, on the 2018 BET drama In Contempt. She first gained attention on Logo’s The Big Gay
Sketch Show, produced by Rosie O’Donnell, from 2006 to 2008. Her film credits include Scary Movie V (2013), Uncle Drew (2018), The Big Bend (2021), and Violet (2021).
On Survivor’s Remorse, Ash portrayed Mary Charles (“M-Chuck”) Calloway, the half-sister of pro basketball player Cam Calloway, played by
Jessie T. Usher. The series was produced by LeBron James at his Spring Hill Productions. Ash also made life difficult for her ex-husband, Kevin Hart, on Real Husbands of Hollywood, which aired for five seasons from 2013 to 2016.
Born on September 19, 1977, in Florida, Ash grew up in Atlanta and studied medicine at Emory University. She took a break from her studies and
went to Japan, where she found herself singing and modeling. She once described herself as the “Forrest Gump” of her field, taking on various opportunities that led her to acting.
In 2011, Ash performed on Broadway in Baby It’s You!, a jukebox musical featuring music from The Shirelles and other Scepter Records artists. Her TV
credits also include Cold Case, Shades of Blue, A Black Lady Sketch Show, and Family Reunion. She appeared in films like Kristy (2014), Jean of the Joneses (2016), and The Outlaw Johnny Black (2023).
Donations in her memory can be made to the Susan G. Komen Cancer Foundation or the National Breast Cancer Foundation. She is survived by her mother, Diann, and her sister, Adrienne.
"Erica was an actress whose range and talent were truly limitless," said Rel Dowdell, director of film studies at Hampton University. "Her work covered all genres, and with every performance, she left a first-class impression on the viewer."