Erica Ash, ‘Mad TV’ Cast Member and ‘Survivor’s Remorse’ Actress , Dead at 46

Erica Ash, the actress whose sharp wit and comedic timing landed her on famed sketch-comedy show Mad TV and Starz dramedy Survivor’s Remorse , has died at the age of 46.

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The star died on Sunday following a battle with cancer, her publicist told The Hollywood Reporter .

“Erica was an amazing woman and talented entertainer who touched countless lives with her sharp wit, humor and genuine zest for life,” the star’s family said in a statement. “Her memory will live eternally in our hearts.”

Ash gained recognition during the mid-2000s, appearing for two seasons on television comedy The Big Gay Sketch Show , which was produced by Rosie O’Donnell and directed by Amanda Bearse. The actress soon stood out on Mad TV and stayed for two seasons until its final run on Fox in 2009. She later moved on to star in Scary Movie 5 and BET’s Real Husbands of Hollywood as Bridgette Hart alongside Kevin Hart, who played her ex-husband. The show ran for five seasons, from 2013 to 2016. Ash also appeared on the network’s drama In Contempt as passionate public defender Gwen Sullivan, and Netflix’s We Have a Ghost.

BET announced her death in a statement released on Instagram . “Known for being equal parts witty and funny, Erica starred in BET favorites such as legal drama In Contempt and reality spoof Real Husbands of Hollywood .” The post continued, “We send our deepest condolences and love to her parents, siblings, friends, and family. Fly high Queen.”

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From 2014 to 2017, Ash also played Mary Charles “M-Chuck” Calloway alongside Mike Epps, Jessie T. Usher, Tichina Arnold, and RonReaco Lee on Starz’s Survivor’s Remorse.

Epps paid tribute to the actress on social media, writing, “Gone to soon she was such a great person to work with full of life and funny and talent you left a great mark on earth.”

Ash’s friend and fellow comedian Loni Love also remembered the actress. “Erica was talented and hilarious whether it was the show Survivor’s Remorse or Madtv she would put her all into her work,” wrote Love on Instagram. “She would always just be there.. now she’s gone.. My sincere condolences to her family and fans.”

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