S. Epatha Merkerson

S. Epatha Merkerson

ActorDirector Nov 28 (age 73) Saginaw, Michigan, USA 1952–2025 (73 year career)
6.5 avg rating

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

Acting (69)

·

Movies (44)

Eye for an Eye

Eye for an Eye

2025

as May

5.4
We Grown Now

We Grown Now

2024

as Anita

6.7
Desmond's Not Here Anymore

Desmond's Not Here Anymore

2021

as Selma

Barbecue

Barbecue

2020

as Lillie Anne

The Great Work Begins: Scenes from Angels in America

The Great Work Begins: Scenes from Angels in America

2020

as Belize

10.0
Blood Sugar Rising

Blood Sugar Rising

2020

as Narrator (voice)

Year by the Sea

Year by the Sea

2016

as Liz

8.0
You Can Go

You Can Go

2016

as Mrs. Bryant

5.0
The Challenger

The Challenger

2015

as Jada

5.9
The Gabby Douglas Story

The Gabby Douglas Story

2014

as Miss Caroline

7.4
Life's Essentials with Ruby Dee

Life's Essentials with Ruby Dee

2014

as Self

1.5
Peeples

Peeples

2013

as Daphne Peeples

5.6
Lincoln

Lincoln

2012

as Lydia Smith

6.9
We Heard the Bells: The Influenza of 1918

We Heard the Bells: The Influenza of 1918

2010

as Narrator (voice)

6.5
The Six Wives of Henry Lefay

The Six Wives of Henry Lefay

2009

as Effa

5.3
Mother and Child

Mother and Child

2009

as Ada

6.6
Zora Neale Hurston: Jump at the Sun

Zora Neale Hurston: Jump at the Sun

2008

as Narrator (voice)

8.0
Slipstream

Slipstream

2007

as Bonnie

4.9
Girl, Positive

Girl, Positive

2007

as Ariel Winters

6.1
Black Snake Moan

Black Snake Moan

2006

as Angela

6.8
The Best of The Tony Awards: The Plays

The Best of The Tony Awards: The Plays

2006

as Berniece (segment "The Piano Lesson")

Lackawanna Blues

Lackawanna Blues

2005

as Rachel 'Nanny' Crosby

5.8
Jersey Girl

Jersey Girl

2004

as Doctor #1

6.2
Radio

Radio

2003

as Maggie

7.3
The Rising Place

The Rising Place

2001

as Lessie Watson

6.0
Law and Order: Justice

Law and Order: Justice

1999

as Anita Van Buren

Random Hearts

Random Hearts

1999

as Nea

5.6
Paul Robeson: Here I Stand

Paul Robeson: Here I Stand

1999

as Eslanda Robeson (voice)

Exiled

Exiled

1998

as Lieutenant Anita Van Buren

5.7
An Unexpected Life

An Unexpected Life

1998

as Beverly Hawkins

4.0
After the SIlence

After the SIlence

1996

as Barbara

7.1
A Mother's Prayer

A Mother's Prayer

1995

as Ruby

8.5
A Place for Annie

A Place for Annie

1994

as Alice

6.0
It's Nothing Personal

It's Nothing Personal

1993

as Louise Waters

Second Chances

Second Chances

1992

as Ruth Clayton

Terminator 2: Judgment Day

Terminator 2: Judgment Day

1991

as Tarissa Dyson

8.1
Jacob's Ladder

Jacob's Ladder

1990

as Elsa

7.4
Loose Cannons

Loose Cannons

1990

as Rachel

5.0
Navy Seals

Navy Seals

1990

as Jolena

5.4
Moe's World

Moe's World

1990
Pee-wee's Playhouse Christmas Special

Pee-wee's Playhouse Christmas Special

1988

as Reba

7.2
She's Gotta Have It

She's Gotta Have It

1986

as Doctor Jamison

6.6
After All

After All

Sexual Healing

Sexual Healing

as Alberta Gay