Comedic actress Erica Ash, known for her work in the sketch comedy series MADTv, has died. She was 46.
The cause of death was cancer, her family confirmed.
In 2008, Ash appeared in the 14th season of the parody series MadTV, where she impersonated Michelle Obama and Whoopi Goldberg.
“We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our beloved daughter, sister, and friend Erica Chantal Ash (1977-2024). After a long and courageous battle with cancer, she transitioned peacefully surrounded by her loved ones," Ash's family told the New York Post.
"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.”
Ash's friend and fellow actress Loni Love confirmed the sad news on Instagram.
“Erica was talented and hilarious whether it was the show Survivor’s Remorse or Madtv she would put her all into her work,” Love wrote.
“She would always just be there.. now she’s gone.. My sincere condolences to her family and fans 🙏🏾🙏🏾."
A graduate of Emory University, Ash initially pursued a career in medicine before catching the acting bug.
While known to many for her roles on MADTv, Ash also appeared in Starz basketball sitcom Survivor's Remorse and the Rosie O'Donnel-produced series The Big Gay Sketch Show.
Ash was also known for BET's Real Husbands of Hollywood and In Contempt, Scary Movie V, and HBO's A Black Lady Sketch Show.
The creator of A Black Lady Sketch Show, Robin Thede, wrote, "We are truly devastated to hear of comedian Erica Ash’s passing."
"She was a force of nature and we had the pleasure of working with her on S2 of A Black Lady Sketch Show, where she was a standout on camera and off. Erica was truly a light and will be dearly missed," Thede added.
The actress Olivia Munn, who starred with Ash in the movie Violet, also paid tribute on Instagram.
“So sad to hear about the passing of Erica Ash after a long battle with cancer,” Munn wrote. “We worked together on the movie Violet that came out in 2021. She was a brilliant actor who brought so much to every moment.”
