Erica Chantal Ash (September 19, 1977 – July 28, 2024) was an American actress, comedian, singer, and model. She was a cast member on the sketch comedy programs MADtv and The Big Gay Sketch Show, and she later starred in the Starz sitcom Survivor's Remorse.
Early life and education Ash was born in Tallahassee, Florida, on September 19, 1977,"United States Public Records, 1970-2009," database, FamilySearch, Erica C Ash, Residence, New York, New York, United States; a third party aggregator of publicly available information. to Donald and Diann Ash. Her parents were both in the U.S. military, leading the family to relocate often, moving to Germany and other parts of the world. She attended a performing-arts school in Atlanta, Georgia, during her youth. Ash planned on becoming a doctor, graduating from Emory University, in Atlanta with a degree in pre-medicine, and prepared to attend medical school. However, after a trip to Japan, where she became a backup singer and a runway model, Ash decided to pursue a career in entertainment.
Career The Big Gay Sketch Show In February 2006, Ash landed multiple job opportunities in Broadway shows like The Lion King and a two-week job in Germany. After returning from Germany, she successfully auditioned for the cable television comedy show The Big Gay Sketch Show. Ash was a cast member for two seasons. While she was a cast member, Ash had to split her time between the first season of the sketch show and The Lion King. Some of her characters included LaTanya, an uncouth, loudmouthed fitness instructor who teaches classes with a "Chicago-style" twist (i.e. Chicago-style yoga, Chicago-style Pilates).
MadTV Ash joined the cast of MADtv in 2008 as a featured performer for the 14th season, along with Matt Braunger, Eric Price, and Lauren Pritchard. She became the fifth African-American female cast member in the show's history (Debra Wilson, Daniele Gaither, Nicole Randall Johnson, and Daheli Hall were the first four). Of the five female African-American cast members, Ash and Hall are the only two who were never promoted to the repertory cast due to seasons 13 and 14 being hit with budget cuts that didn't allow new cast members to stay long on the show. Ash remained a featured member of the MADtv cast during the show's 14th and final season on FOX. As of 2024, Ash is now the first (and, so far, only) deceased cast member of MADtv.
Characters CharacterSketchSeasonCatch phraseCerise MuhammadDaughter of Legions14"...and everything, so."
Impressions CelebritySketchSeasonNaomi CampbellVarious14Whoopi GoldbergVarious14Mo'NiqueVarious14Lisa LeslieVarious14Raven-SymonéFamily Feud14Michelle ObamaVarious14
Death Ash died from breast cancer in Los Angeles on July 28, 2024, at the age of 46. Ash had first been diagnosed in 2008 and went into remission after treatment, though the cancer recurred in 2018.
Filmography Ash's acting career projects include:
Film appearances YearTitleRoleNotes2001Minna no IeNaomi2011I Can Smoke?CarmenShort film2013Scary Movie 5Kendra Brooks2014KristyNicole2015Sister CodeJamaya2016Jean of the Joneses Anne2017All I WishNikkiMiss Me This ChristmasRegina2018Uncle DrewMaya2019Skin in the GameLena 2021 Violet Lila Horror Noire Shanita The Big Bend Georgia Talbott 2022 Singleholic Sarah Wilcox 2023 We Have a Ghost Melanie Presley Outlaw Johnny Black Bessie Lee
Television appearances YearTitleRoleTotal episodesNotes2006–2008The Big Gay Sketch ShowVarious CharactersSketch Comedy2008–2009MadTVVarious Characters12Sketch Comedy2009Cold CaseRegina Reynolds1Drama2012American JudyMayaTelevision film2013–2016Real Husbands of HollywoodBridgette Hart19Recurring Role2014–2017Survivor's RemorseMary Charles "M-Chuck" Calloway36Main Role2016Hell's KitchenHerself1Dining Room Guest2018 In ContemptGwen Sullivan10Main Role2019 RuPaul's Drag Race All StarsHerselfGuest Judge Legacies Veronica Greasley 4 2019;2021 Family Reunion Grace 3 2020 Bless the Harts Julie Vous Coucher (voice) 1 2021 A Black Lady Sketch Show 1 Aquaman: King of Atlantis Wendy (voice) 1 Sacrifice Beverly Rucker 1 2022 Unthinkably Good Things Reesa Television film 2024 Extended Family Lydia 1
Video games YearTitleRoleNotes2002Shenmue IIAdditional VoicesVideo gameXbox versionDDRMAX Dance Dance Revolution 6thMix (PlayStation 2, Japan)Singer (Kind Lady)Video gameDDRMAX2 Dance Dance Revolution 7thMix (PlayStation 2, Japan)Singer (Kind Lady (interlude))Video game2003DDRMAX2 Dance Dance Revolution (PlayStation 2, North America)Singer (Forever Sunshine)Video gameBloody Roar 4Nagi KirishimaVideo game
References
External links
Erica Ash's Official Site