S. Epatha Merkerson
Acting
65
Acting Credits
1
Directed
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 mem...
Known For
Filmography
Eye for an Eye
2025
as May
We Grown Now
2024
as Anita
Poker Face
2023
as Joyce Carter
Desmond's Not Here Anymore
2021
as Selma
Blood Sugar Rising
2020
as Narrator (voice)
Barbecue
2020
as Lillie Anne
The Great Work Begins: Scenes from Angels in America
2020
as Belize
Year by the Sea
2016
as Liz
You Can Go
2016
as Mrs. Bryant
The Challenger
2015
as Jada
Chicago Med
2015
as Sharon Goodwin
The Gabby Douglas Story
2014
as Miss Caroline
Life's Essentials with Ruby Dee
2014
as Self
Chicago P.D.
2014
as Sharon Goodwin
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
2014
as Self
Peeples
2013
as Daphne Peeples
Lincoln
2012
as Lydia Smith
Finding Your Roots
2012
as Self
Chicago Fire
2012
as Sharon Goodwin
We Heard the Bells: The Influenza of 1918
2010
as Narrator (voice)
The Six Wives of Henry Lefay
2009
as Effa
Mother and Child
2009
as Ada
The Good Wife
2009
as Judge Melanie Ellis
Zora Neale Hurston: Jump at the Sun
2008
as Narrator (voice)
Slipstream
2007
as Bonnie
Girl, Positive
2007
as Ariel Winters
Black Snake Moan
2006
as Angela
The Best of The Tony Awards: The Plays
2006
as Berniece (segment "The Piano Lesson")
Rachael Ray
2006
as Self
Lackawanna Blues
2005
as Rachel 'Nanny' Crosby
The Closer
2005
as Dr. Rebecca Dioli
Law & Order: Trial by Jury
2005
as Anita Van Buren
Jersey Girl
2004
as Doctor #1
Radio
2003
as Maggie
The Ellen DeGeneres Show
2003
as Self
The Rising Place
2001
as Lessie Watson
Law & Order: Criminal Intent
2001
as Anita Van Buren
Random Hearts
1999
as Nea
Paul Robeson: Here I Stand
1999
as Eslanda Robeson (voice)
An Unexpected Life
1998
as Beverly Hawkins
Exiled
1998
as Lieutenant Anita Van Buren
The View
1997
as Self
After the SIlence
1996
as Barbara
A Mother's Prayer
1995
as Ruby
A Place for Annie
1994
as Alice
It's Nothing Personal
1993
as Louise Waters
Frasier
1993
as Dr. McCaskill
Second Chances
1992
as Ruth Clayton
Mann & Machine
1992
as Capt. Margaret Claghorn
Here and Now
1992
as Claudia St. Marth
Terminator 2: Judgment Day
1991
as Tarissa Dyson
Jacob's Ladder
1990
as Elsa
Loose Cannons
1990
as Rachel
Moe's World
1990
Navy Seals
1990
as Jolena
Law & Order
1990
as Anita Van Buren
Law & Order
1990
as Denise Winters
Pee-wee's Playhouse Christmas Special
1988
as Reba
LIVE with Kelly and Mark
1988
as Self - Guest
She's Gotta Have It
1986
as Doctor Jamison
Pee-wee's Playhouse
1986
as Reba
The Cosby Show
1984
as Elena
Tony Awards
1956
as Self - Nominee
Today
1952
as Self
The Emmy Awards
1949
as Self