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.
as Alberta Gay
as May
as Anita
as Joyce Carter(1 ep)
as Selma
as Lillie Anne
as Narrator (voice)
as Mrs. Bryant
as Liz
as Sharon Goodwin(226 eps)
as Jada
as Self(1 ep)
as Miss Caroline
as Sharon Goodwin(7 eps)
as Daphne Peeples
as Lydia Smith
as Sharon Goodwin(9 eps)
as Self(2 eps)
as Narrator (voice)
as Ada
as Judge Melanie Ellis(1 ep)
as Effa
as Narrator (voice)
as Ariel Winters
as Bonnie
as Angela
as Self(1 ep)
as Berniece (segment "The Piano Lesson")
as Dr. Rebecca Dioli(3 eps)
as Anita Van Buren(1 ep)
as Rachel 'Nanny' Crosby
as Doctor #1
as Maggie
as Self(1 ep)
as Anita Van Buren(1 ep)
as Lessie Watson
as Nea
as Eslanda Robeson (voice)
as Lieutenant Anita Van Buren
as Beverly Hawkins
as Self(1 ep)
as Barbara
as Ruby
as Alice
as Dr. McCaskill(1 ep)
as Louise Waters
as Claudia St. Marth(15 eps)
as Capt. Margaret Claghorn(9 eps)
as Ruth Clayton
as Tarissa Dyson
as Elsa
as Anita Van Buren(390 eps)
as Denise Winters(1 ep)
as Jolena
as Rachel
as Self - Guest(1 ep)
as Reba(45 eps)
as Doctor Jamison
as Elena(1 ep)
as Self - Nominee(1 ep)
as Self(1 ep)
as Self(1 ep)