Erica Ash

Erica Chantal Ash (September 19, 1977 – July 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

Ash was born in Florida to Donald and Diann Ash. Her parents were both in the 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

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 only 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).

Ash joined the cast of MADtv in 2008 as a feature 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 a repertory player. Ash remained a featured member of the MADtv cast during the show's 14th and final season on FOX.