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.
2024
as Anita
2023
as Joyce Carter
2020
as Lillie Anne
2020
as Belize
2020
as narrator
2016
as Mrs. Bryant
2016
as Liz
2015
as Sharon Goodwin
2015
as Jada
2014
as Self
2014
as Miss Caroline
2014
as Sharon Goodwin
2013
as Daphne Peeples
2012
as Lydia Smith
2012
as Sharon Goodwin
2012
as Self
2010
as Narrator (voice)
2009
as Ada
2009
as Judge Melanie Ellis
2009
as Effa
2008
as Narrator
2007
as Ariel Winters
2007
as Bonnie
2006
as Angela
2006
as Berniece (segment "The Piano Lesson")
2005
as Dr. Rebecca Dioli
2005
as Anita Van Buren
2005
as Rachel "Nanny" Crosby
2004
as Doctor #1
2003
as Maggie
2001
as Lieutenant Anita Van Buren
2001
as Lessie Watson
1999
as Nea
1999
as Eslanda Robeson (voice)
1998
as Lieutenant Anita Van Buren
1998
as Beverly Hawkins
1996
as Barbara
1995
as Ruby
1994
as Alice
1993
as Dr. McCaskill
1993
as Louise Waters
1992
as Claudia St. Marth
1992
as Capt. Margaret Claghorn
1991
as Tarissa Dyson
1990
as Elsa
1990
as Denise Winters
1990
as Anita Van Buren
1990
as Jolena
1990
1990
as Rachel
1988
as Reba
1986
as Reba
1986
as Doctor Jamison
1984
as Elena
1956
as Self - Nominee
as Selma
as Alberta Gay