Denise Burse

Biography

Denise Burse-Mickelbury (born January 13, 1952) is an American actress, best known for her role as Claretha Jenkins in the television series Tyler Perry's House of Payne. An African-American native of Atlanta, Burse received professional training at the Just Us Theatre, The Alliance Theatre and The Atlanta Children's Theater. She has numerous television credits such as Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and Law & Order: Criminal Intent. Burse has also appeared in various stage productions such as An American Daughter, Harriet’s Return, Ground People, Pearl Cleage's Flyin' West, and Radio Golf. In 2016, she appeared in "San Junipero", an episode of the anthology series Black Mirror.

Movies & TV Shows

1. Black Mirror (2011) — Elder Kelly
2. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999) — Counselor Scheider
3. Manifest (2018) — Estelle Vance
4. New Amsterdam (2018) — Marlene
5. Vacation Friends (2021) — Grandma Phyllis
6. Law & Order (1990) — Sarah Chase
7. The Wrath of Becky (2023) — Elena
8. The Juror (1996) — Secretary
9. Law & Order: Criminal Intent (2001) — Sarah Edgars
10. Basquiat (1996) — Mary on TV
11. The Home (2025) — Sadie
12. Third Watch (1999) — Brigette
13. Peace, Love & Misunderstanding (2011) — Angel
14. Anesthesia (2016) — West Indian Nurse
15. Greenleaf (2016) — Ethlin Satterlee
16. Doc (2025) — Ruby
17. Tyler Perry's House of Payne (2007) — Claretha Jenkins
18. New York Undercover (1994) — Mrs. Reyes
19. The Boy King (1986) — Bunch