‘Survivor’s Remorse’ Actress Erica Ash Has Died At 46

Source: Variety / Getty

A ctress Erica Ash, who starred on Survivors Remorse and The Real Husbands of Hollywood , has died. Her family made the announcement in a statement provided to media by Ash’s publicist.

Ash was 46.

“After a long and courageous battle with cancer, she transitioned peacefully surrounded by her loved ones,” the statement read. “Erica was an amazing woman and talented entertainer who touched countless lives with her sharp wit, humor, and genuine zest for life. Her memory will live eternally in our hearts.”

Her family didn’t specify the type of cancer she had, but asked that donations be sent to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, a leading breast cancer organization.

The Florida native was born Sept. 19, 1977. The daughter of a military chaplain, Ash started her acting career on the stage, appearing in The Lion King and other productions. After graduating from a pre-med program at Emory University while initially en route to becoming a doctor, she moved to Japan. While there, she started singing, acting and modeling and then moved back to the States to continue her career in entertainment.

In one of her best-known roles, Ash played M-Chuck on Survivors Remorse the Starz comedy with Tichina Arnold, Mike Epps and Jessie T. Usher. Produced by LeBron James ‘ production company, the show was loosely based on his own life. Usher played Cam Calloway, a basketball star from Boston whose family moved to Atlanta with him when he turned pro. Ash played his sister, Arnold his mother and Epps his uncle.

The critically acclaimed series ran for 36 episodes over four seasons from 2014 -2017. Ash also led the BET show In Contempt, appeared on MADtv and on Rosie O’Donnell’s The Big Gay Sketch Show. Other credits include Scary Movie V, Kristy, and Uncle Drew , the basketball comedy with Kyrie Irving and Shaquille O’Neal.

She was last seen on the NBC show Extended Family with Jon Cryer and Donald Faison.

“Erica Ash had a booming laugh that filled the set of Survivor’s Remorse every day,” creator and showrunner Mike O’Malley told Deadline. “It was a loud and generous laugh. The kind of loud and genuine laugh that made you turn your head to see what you were missing. The kind of laugh that signified life being lived to the fullest. Erica did.

He added, “As M-Chuck, she was nominated for an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in 2017. She deserved that accolade and many more. She loved being on a show, working as an actor, and crafting a character that she could call her own. She was fearless, hilarious, compelling. But most of all — she was a good person. A team player. A woman you loved being around. To work with her was to know what the good life could look like.”

Watch a clip of Ash on the show below.

Several of her friends, co-stars and colleagues paid tribute to her on social media.

Arnold shared a post of her and Ash dancing.

“For the first time in a long time, I’m at a loss for words,” Arnold posted. “Damn. Despite this awful moment in time, I’m extremely grateful to God and filled with AMAZING memories & Joy of having experienced you in THIS lifetime Erica.”

Actor RonReaco Lee, who also starred on Survivor’s Remorse, shared his memories of Ash.

“Even when I think I have the words to say, my emotions trip me up and I lose it. Start crying all over again. So…I’m just going to speak from my heart. Simply put, Erica was a force! She brought an energy to this world that will be unmatched. In the 4 seasons that we filmed Survivor’s Remorse , I never remember her having a “off” day.”

Ash appeared noticeably slimmer in recent appearances but didn’t publicly disclose she was battling cancer.

Queen Sugar actor Omar Dorsey, a friend of Ash’s for 34 years, was among the fellow actors mourning Ash on Instagram. He shared their prom picture and video of her dancing at a party.

“Lost my TWIN SISTER Sunday July 28, 2024,” Dorsey said. “I met Erica 34 years ago Between 3rd and 4th period outside of the dance studio at Avondale High School. We’ve been brother and sister since that second. I love you so much Erica! You taught me joy, humor, talent, SUCCESS and unconditional love. Hell you even went to the PROM with me when my janky date backed out! I’m heartbroken. You are BY FAR the most talented person I’ve ever known and it’s not even close.”

No funeral arrangements have yet been announced.

See how fans celebrated her on social media below.