S. Epatha Merkerson
Born in Saginaw, Michigan, USA — Nov 28 1952
Connect
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 Chi…
Photos
S. Epatha Merkerson's Credits
Browse acting and crew credits across movies and TV — filter and sort to find specific roles.
Law & Order
Anita Van Buren
Chicago Fire
Sharon Goodwin
Frasier
Dr. McCaskill
The Closer
Dr. Rebecca Dioli
Chicago P.D.
Sharon Goodwin
Law & Order: Criminal Intent
Anita Van Buren
The Good Wife
Judge Melanie Ellis
Chicago Med
Sharon Goodwin
The Cosby Show
Elena
Finding Your Roots
Self
Terminator 2: Judgment Day
Tarissa Dyson
Poker Face
Joyce Carter
Law & Order: Trial by Jury
Anita Van Buren
Pee-wee's Playhouse
Reba
Eye for an Eye
May
Lincoln
Lydia Smith
The Emmy Awards
Self
Radio
Maggie
Jacob's Ladder
Elsa
Jersey Girl
Doctor #1
Black Snake Moan
Angela
Here and Now
Claudia St. Marth
Mann & Machine
Capt. Margaret Claghorn
Navy Seals
Jolena
Random Hearts
Nea
Mother and Child
Ada
The Best of The Tony Awards: The Plays
Berniece (segment "The Piano Lesson")
Loose Cannons
Rachel
Exiled
Lieutenant Anita Van Buren
Lackawanna Blues
Rachel 'Nanny' Crosby
A Mother's Prayer
Ruby
We Grown Now
Anita
The Challenger
Jada
The Great Work Begins: Scenes from Angels in America
Belize
Slipstream
Bonnie
A Place for Annie
Alice
She's Gotta Have It
Doctor Jamison
Pee-wee's Playhouse Christmas Special
Reba
After the SIlence
Barbara
Life's Essentials with Ruby Dee
Self
Moe's World
An Unexpected Life
Beverly Hawkins
Barbecue
Lillie Anne
Sexual Healing
Alberta Gay
It's Nothing Personal
Louise Waters
Peeples
Daphne Peeples
Girl, Positive
Ariel Winters
The Gabby Douglas Story
Miss Caroline
The Six Wives of Henry Lefay
Effa
The Rising Place
Lessie Watson
Paul Robeson: Here I Stand
Eslanda Robeson (voice)
After All
You Can Go
Mrs. Bryant
Year by the Sea
Liz
The Contradictions of Fair Hope
Directing
Second Chances
Ruth Clayton
Blood Sugar Rising
Narrator (voice)
Desmond's Not Here Anymore
Selma
We Heard the Bells: The Influenza of 1918
Narrator (voice)
Zora Neale Hurston: Jump at the Sun
Narrator (voice)
Tony Awards
Self - Nominee