A relatively young and rising star in Hollywood, comedic actress Erica Ash, passed away on Sunday in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 46, according to the Associated Press.

Per a statement from her family released through her publicist, Ash died following a battle with cancer.

A talented actress who appeared in Broadway productions, movies, and TV shows, she was most noted for her comedic chops and recurring roles on "MadTV" and the reality TV parody series "Real Husbands of Hollywood."

"An amazing woman and talented entertainer"

Celebrity gossip site TMZ reported that it obtained an exclusive statement from Ash's mother, Diann Ash, who said on behalf of the family, "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."

"Erica was an amazing woman and talented entertainer who touched countless lives with her sharp wit, humor, and genuine zest for life," the grieving mother continued. "Her memory will live eternally in our hearts."

"In honor of Erica’ memory, the family asks that any donations be made to the Susan G. Komen Cancer Foundation or the Breast Cancer Foundation of your choice," she added. "We are grateful for the kind expressions of love and support during this difficult time."

Ash was born in Florida to a pair of military parents and was raised in various locations around the world but eventually settled in the Atlanta, Georgia, area and began acting at a performing arts school before attending Emory College.

A Hollywood star

Per the AP, Ash studied medicine at Emory but needed a break and traveled to Japan, where she went back to performing as an actress and singer and even began modeling, all of which led to her career in the entertainment industry over the next couple of decades.

In a 2017 interview with the Los Angeles Times, Ash recalled her trip to Japan and the different jobs she took on while there and said, "Literally, one thing led to another, so I tell people I'm the Forrest Gump of my field. I just blindly, by faith, walked through life and said 'yes' to things that were presented to me, and it led me here."

According to Ash's IMDb page, which lists 40 acting credits to her name, her first big break came in 2006 on "The Big Gay Sketch Show" followed by a season on "MadTV" in 2008. She also had recurring roles in TV shows like "Shades of Blue," "Real Husbands of Hollywood," "Survivor's Remorse," "In Contempt," "Legacies," and "Family Reunion."

Ash also had one-off appearances in several other TV series and appeared in numerous movies over the years, including "Scary Movie V," "We Have a Ghost," and "Outlaw Johnny Black."

Remembered as a "boundlessly talented actress"

Mike O'Malley, the creator and showrunner of "Survivor's Remorse," told Deadline of Ash, "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."

Rel Dowdell, a professor of film studies at Hampton University, said, "Ms. Erica Ash was a boundlessly talented actress whose range was superlative."

"Being a graduate of prestigious institution Emory University, she could have had many prosperous career options to choose from in life, but she definitely chose the right one in being a standout and very conscious actress who touched many lives with her work," the professor added.