S. Epatha Merkerson
Acting·November 28, 1952 — 73 years old·Saginaw, Michigan, USA
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.
Known For
Filmography · 67
—Sexual HealingAlberta Gay—After All2025Eye for an EyeMay2024We Grown NowAnita2023Poker FaceTVJoyce Carter2021Desmond's Not Here AnymoreSelma2020BarbecueLillie Anne2020The Great Work Begins: Scenes from Angels in AmericaBelize2020Blood Sugar RisingNarrator (voice)2016You Can GoMrs. Bryant2016Year by the SeaLiz2015Chicago MedTVSharon Goodwin2015The ChallengerJada2014Life's Essentials with Ruby DeeSelf2014The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy FallonTVSelf2014The Gabby Douglas StoryMiss Caroline2014Chicago P.D.TVSharon Goodwin2013PeeplesDaphne Peeples2013The Contradictions of Fair HopeDirector2012LincolnLydia Smith2012Chicago FireTVSharon Goodwin2012Finding Your RootsTVSelf2010We Heard the Bells: The Influenza of 1918Narrator (voice)2009Mother and ChildAda2009The Good WifeTVJudge Melanie Ellis2009The Six Wives of Henry LefayEffa2008Zora Neale Hurston: Jump at the SunNarrator (voice)2007Girl, PositiveAriel Winters2007SlipstreamBonnie2006Black Snake MoanAngela2006Rachael RayTVSelf2006The Best of The Tony Awards: The PlaysBerniece (segment "The Piano Lesson")2005The CloserTVDr. Rebecca Dioli2005Law & Order: Trial by JuryTVAnita Van Buren2005Lackawanna BluesRachel 'Nanny' Crosby2004Jersey GirlDoctor #12003RadioMaggie2003The Ellen DeGeneres ShowTVSelf2001Law & Order: Criminal IntentTVAnita Van Buren2001The Rising PlaceLessie Watson1999Random HeartsNea1999Paul Robeson: Here I StandEslanda Robeson (voice)1998ExiledLieutenant Anita Van Buren1998An Unexpected LifeBeverly Hawkins1997The ViewTVSelf1996After the SIlenceBarbara1995A Mother's PrayerRuby1994A Place for AnnieAlice1993FrasierTVDr. McCaskill1993It's Nothing PersonalLouise Waters1992Here and NowTVClaudia St. Marth1992Mann & MachineTVCapt. Margaret Claghorn1992Second ChancesRuth Clayton1991Terminator 2: Judgment DayTarissa Dyson1990Jacob's LadderElsa1990Law & OrderTVAnita Van Buren · Denise Winters1990Navy SealsJolena1990Moe's World1990Loose CannonsRachel1988Pee-wee's Playhouse Christmas SpecialReba1988LIVE with Kelly and MarkTVSelf - Guest1986Pee-wee's PlayhouseTVReba1986She's Gotta Have ItDoctor Jamison1984The Cosby ShowTVElena1956Tony AwardsTVSelf - Nominee1952TodayTVSelf1949The Emmy AwardsTVSelf