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.
Eye for an Eye
May
2025
We Grown Now
Anita
2024
Desmond's Not Here Anymore
Selma
2021
You Can Go
Mrs. Bryant
2016
Year by the Sea
Liz
2016
The Challenger
Jada
2015
The Gabby Douglas Story
Miss Caroline
2014
Peeples
Daphne Peeples
2013
Lincoln
Lydia Smith
2012
Mother and Child
Ada
2009
The Six Wives of Henry Lefay
Effa
2009
Zora Neale Hurston: Jump at the Sun
Narrator (voice)
2008
Girl, Positive
Ariel Winters
2007
Slipstream
Bonnie
2007
Black Snake Moan
Angela
2006
The Best of The Tony Awards: The Plays
Berniece (segment "The Piano Lesson")
2006
Lackawanna Blues
Rachel 'Nanny' Crosby
2005
Jersey Girl
Doctor #1
2004
Radio
Maggie
2003
The Rising Place
Lessie Watson
2001
Random Hearts
Nea
1999
Exiled
Lieutenant Anita Van Buren
1998
An Unexpected Life
Beverly Hawkins
1998
Breaking Through
Barbara
1996
A Mother's Prayer
Ruby
1995
A Place for Annie
Alice
1994
It's Nothing Personal
Louise Waters
1993
Terminator 2: Judgment Day
Tarissa Dyson
1991
Jacob's Ladder
Elsa
1990
Moe's World
1990
Loose Cannons
Rachel
1990
She's Gotta Have It
Doctor Jamison
1986
Sexual Healing
Alberta Gay
Poker Face
Joyce Carter · (1 episode)
2023
Barbecue
Lillie Anne
2020
The Great Work Begins: Scenes from Angels in America
Belize
2020
Blood Sugar Rising
Narrator (voice)
2020
Chicago Med
Sharon Goodwin · (198 episodes)
2015
Life's Essentials with Ruby Dee
Self
2014
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
Self · (1 episode)
2014
Chicago P.D.
Sharon Goodwin · (6 episodes)
2014
Chicago Fire
Sharon Goodwin · (7 episodes)
2012
Finding Your Roots
Self · (2 episodes)
2012
We Heard the Bells: The Influenza of 1918
Narrator (voice)
2010
The Good Wife
Judge Melanie Ellis · (1 episode)
2009
Rachael Ray
Self · (1 episode)
2006
The Closer
Dr. Rebecca Dioli · (3 episodes)
2005
Law & Order: Trial by Jury
Anita Van Buren · (1 episode)
2005
The Ellen DeGeneres Show
Self · (1 episode)
2003
Law & Order: Criminal Intent
Lieutenant Anita Van Buren · (1 episode)
2001
Paul Robeson: Here I Stand
Eslanda Robeson (voice)
1999
The View
Self · (1 episode)
1997
Frasier
Dr. McCaskill · (1 episode)
1993
Here and Now
Claudia St. Marth · (15 episodes)
1992
Mann & Machine
Capt. Margaret Claghorn · (9 episodes)
1992
Second Chances
Ruth Clayton
1992
Law & Order
Anita Van Buren · (390 episodes)
1990
Law & Order
Denise Winters · (1 episode)
1990
Navy Seals
Jolena
1990
Pee-wee's Playhouse Christmas Special
Reba
1988
After All
LIVE with Kelly and Mark
Self - Guest · (1 episode)
1988
Pee-wee's Playhouse
Reba · (45 episodes)
1986
The Cosby Show
Elena · (1 episode)
1984
Tony Awards
Self - Nominee · (1 episode)
1956
Today
Self · (1 episode)
1952