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