Erica Faye Watson (February 26, 1973 – February 27, 2021) was an American actress, comedian and writer. She is best known for her roles in Precious and Chi-Raq.[1][2]

Erica Watson
Born
Erica Faye Watson

(1973-02-26)February 26, 1973
DiedFebruary 27, 2021(2021-02-27) (aged 48)
Montego Bay, Jamaica
EducationColumbia College Chicago (BA, MA)

Early life and education

edit

Watson was born on February 26, 1973,[3] and grew up in Chicago. She attended St. Thomas the Apostle Elementary School and Kenwood Academy High School. She graduated from Columbia College Chicago in 1998 with a degree in film directing and a masters in Master of Arts in entertainment and media management in 2005.[4][2]

Career

edit

Following graduation, Watson moved to New York City where she performed comedy and a one-woman show in 2010 which examined her identity a plus-size Black woman. She returned to Chicago after the show's tour where she took on roles in Precious, Chi-Raq, Empire, and The Chi.[2]

Personal life

edit

She died of complications from COVID-19 in Montego Bay, where she had been living until her death, one day after her 48th birthday during the COVID-19 pandemic in Jamaica.[3]

Filmography

edit

Film

edit
Year Title Role Notes
2006 Dirty Laundry Clarine
2009 Precious Sheila
2013 Side Effects Processing Nurse Uncredited
2014 Top Five Woman on the Street #1
2015 Chi-Raq Sugar Pie

Television

edit
Year Title Role Notes
2014 Love That Girl! Shop Lady Episode: "Gullible Is as Gullible Does"
2015 Chicago Fire Waitress Episode: "Forgiving, Relentless, Unconditional"
2015, 2018 Empire Ruth / Danielle 2 episodes
2018 The Chi Miss Tiny

References

edit
  1. ^ "Chicago comedian, 'Windy City Live' contributor Erica Watson dies from COVID-19, family says". ABC7 Chicago. March 1, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c Risen, Clay (March 4, 2021). "Erica Faye Watson, Comedic 'Hidden Gem of Chicago,' Dies at 48". The New York Times.
  3. ^ a b "Chicago actress Erica Watson dies from COVID-19 complications". www.radio.com. February 28, 2021.
  4. ^ George, Doug (March 2021). "Chicago actor and comedian Erica Watson dies at 48 from COVID-19 complications". Chicago Tribune.
edit