![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/original/pXCmHxrWzlv1kPZSxJXFM45QgOP.jpg)
S. Epatha Merkerson
0 FOLLOWERS • 24 CREDITS • NOV 28, 1952 • 71
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.
Known For
![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w342/d735cGL2G07Tb0ysLHStu8c0uo8.jpg)
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w342/mZObarMPF76PGVmwywQ7Ks4UFpR.jpg)
Chicago P.D.
![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w342/lasNCd45fpPLirlA7QxkuopWro.jpg)
The Good Wife
![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w342/6pxoHfywO6bFDOQa9bmWZ1hyKBt.jpg)
Tony Awards
![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w342/b90Z7Nlw1EzPz38oL3utlvFjmFR.jpg)
LIVE with Kelly and Mark
![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w342/68MUdrxeokhmd8pvlAjkD6yIfHR.jpg)
Law & Order: Criminal Intent
![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w342/gYAb6GCVEFsU9hzMCG5rxaxoIv3.jpg)
Frasier
![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w342/xlWdasY9oYg3OO5VTNqlPFftgya.jpg)
Today
![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w342/sVE1SSDlXNCBh3sPYkIUTKfxOAk.jpg)
The Closer
![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w342/2yaeYNplMuLGNjBigMFsek7UZmq.jpg)
Chicago Fire
![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w342/dc6sR5FWN4uX8fZENq2UTsrSg3x.jpg)
The Cosby Show
![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w342/d4CSYByEefe43AXMlMyKEihEPGU.jpg)
Finding Your Roots
![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w342/r8TB8X1UV9moANdBwybuRcjVOYJ.jpg)
Law & Order: Trial by Jury
![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w342/8Xm5dyMQC9whMJKnGdFugUAW73C.jpg)
Poker Face
![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w342/nMmMWoSooR6QmCjdT0AvZardof1.jpg)
Jersey Girl
![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w342/m9zTQr4TYS98UFSiA1k0mMfECPe.jpg)
Law & Order
![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w342/4GY4FsM0ZOtbSTeMpY0g4WkEuBW.jpg)
Jacob's Ladder
![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w342/4bpPqhkaPNfys64drlproTtYfIX.jpg)
Chicago Med
![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w342/5M0j0B18abtBI5gi2RhfjjurTqb.jpg)
Terminator 2: Judgment Day
![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w342/whb9VJJdDlRjJLrRrQl1NkyD3Dc.jpg)
Pee-wee's Playhouse
![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w342/uQ6ci4iFHhB6TWB2f4wftR7AEly.jpg)
Radio
![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w342/8Yv7kxsqXSe4ZHl8uJEhmsPjhAP.jpg)
Black Snake Moan
![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w342/nIV7JWqfgArCJ8Qnwx88wVpLXJy.jpg)
Here and Now
![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w342/cgbKZVs1MlhGY7i4q3uKurb9b6x.jpg)
Mann & Machine
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