S. Epatha Merkerson
Known For
Acting
Born
1952-11-28 in Saginaw, Michigan, USA
Biography
S. Epatha Merkerson (born Sharon Epatha Merkerson) is an American film, stage, and television actress. She has won a Golden Globe, Emmy Awards, a Screen Actors Guild Award, Obie Award, 4 NAACP Image Awards, and 2 Tony Award nominations. She is best known for her role as NYPD Lieutenant Anita Van Buren (1993–2010) on the long-running NBC police procedural drama series Law & Order, as well as the Law & Order TV movie Exiled. She appeared in 390 episodes of the series, more than any other cast member. She has a starring role as Sharon Goodwin on NBC's Chicago Med. She also had a recurring role as Reba (the mail carrier) on Pee-wee's Playhouse, and Ms. St. Marth on the TV series Here and Now. She has appeared in feature films including She's Gotta Have It, Loose Cannons, Jacob's Ladder, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Random Hearts, Radio, Black Snake Moan, Lincoln (2012), and Peeples. She has also appeared in TV movies including A Place for Annie, A Mother's Prayer, Breaking Through, Lackawanna Blues, and The Gabby Douglas Story.
Most Known For
Law & Order
as Denise Winters
Law & Order
as Anita Van Buren
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
as Self
Chicago Fire
as Sharon Goodwin
Chicago P.D.
as Sharon Goodwin
Chicago Med
as Sharon Goodwin
The Good Wife
as Judge Melanie Ellis
Frasier
as Dr. McCaskill
The Closer
as Dr. Rebecca Dioli
Eye for an Eye
as May
The View
as Self
Law & Order: Criminal Intent
as Anita Van Buren
The Cosby Show
as Elena
LIVE with Kelly and Mark
as Self - Guest
Poker Face
as Joyce Carter
The Ellen DeGeneres Show
as Self
Terminator 2: Judgment Day
as Tarissa Dyson
Finding Your Roots
as Self
Lincoln
as Lydia Smith
Today
as Self