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.
1990 • TV
1990 • TV
2014 • TV
2012 • TV
1991 • Movie
2025 • Movie
as Tarissa Dyson
as May
as Ariel Winters
as Anita
as Lydia Smith
as Ada
as Ruth Clayton
as Bonnie
as Elsa
as Angela
as Maggie
as Daphne Peeples
as Jada
as Doctor #1
as Reba
as Beverly Hawkins
as Louise Waters
as Selma
as Alice
Director
as Denise Winters
1 episodes
as Anita Van Buren
390 episodes
as Self
1 episodes
as Sharon Goodwin
8 episodes
as Sharon Goodwin
6 episodes
as Dr. Rebecca Dioli
3 episodes
as Sharon Goodwin
209 episodes
as Judge Melanie Ellis
1 episodes
as Anita Van Buren
1 episodes
as Dr. McCaskill
1 episodes
as Self - Nominee
1 episodes
as Self
1 episodes
as Elena
1 episodes
as Joyce Carter
1 episodes
as Self - Guest
1 episodes
as Self
1 episodes
as Self
2 episodes
as Anita Van Buren
1 episodes
as Reba
45 episodes
as Claudia St. Marth
15 episodes
