Erica Ash, known for her roles on the Starz dramedy Survivor’s Remorse and the BET series Real Husbands of Hollywood and In Contempt, has passed away at the age of 46. Her family confirmed that Ash died following a lengthy battle with cancer, although they did not provide further details. They described her as an “amazing woman and talented entertainer” who touched many lives with her humor, wit, and enthusiasm for life. “Her memory will live eternally in our hearts,” the family said in a statement.
Born on September 19, 1977, in Florida, Ash first gained prominence as a regular on Logo’s The Big Gay Sketch Show and later on Fox’s Mad TV. Throughout the 2010s, she appeared in films such as Scary Movie V, Horror Noire, Sister Code, and Uncle Drew. Ash also had significant roles on the parody series Real Husbands of Hollywood from 2013 to 2016, and starred in all four seasons of Survivor’s Remorse, where she was known for her vibrant laugh and engaging performances.
Creator and showrunner Mike O’Malley praised Ash for her genuine and lively presence on set, noting her fearless, hilarious, and compelling nature. She was nominated for an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in 2017 for her role as M-Chuck on Survivor’s Remorse.
In addition to her television work, Ash made guest appearances on NBC’s Shades of Blue and Legacies. During the 2020s, she appeared on shows such as A Black Lady Sketch Show, Family Reunion, and Extended Family, and voiced characters in Bless the Harts and Aquaman: King of Atlantis. Her film credits included The Big Bend, Singleholic, and Outlaw Johnny Black.
Professor Rel Dowdell, Director of Film Studies at Hampton University, described Ash as a “boundlessly talented actress” whose career was marked by her conscious and impactful performances.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Ash’s name to the Susan G. Komen Cancer Foundation or other breast cancer charities.
