S. Epatha Merkerson

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 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.

Movies & TV Shows

1. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) — Tarissa Dyson
2. Lincoln (2012) — Lydia Smith
3. Chicago P.D. (2014) — Sharon Goodwin
4. Chicago Fire (2012) — Sharon Goodwin
5. Jacob's Ladder (1990) — Elsa
6. Chicago Med (2015) — Sharon Goodwin
7. Jersey Girl (2004) — Doctor #1
8. Black Snake Moan (2006) — Angela
9. Frasier (1993) — Dr. McCaskill
10. Radio (2003) — Maggie
11. Law & Order (1990) — Anita Van Buren
12. The Good Wife (2009) — Judge Melanie Ellis
13. Poker Face (2023) — Joyce Carter
14. The Cosby Show (1984) — Elena
15. Random Hearts (1999) — Nea
16. Law & Order: Criminal Intent (2001) — Anita Van Buren
17. The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (2014) — Self
18. She's Gotta Have It (1986) — Doctor Jamison
19. The Closer (2005) — Dr. Rebecca Dioli
20. Navy Seals (1990) — Jolena
21. The Ellen DeGeneres Show (2003) — Self
22. Mother and Child (2009) — Ada
23. The Six Wives of Henry Lefay (2009) — Effa
24. Loose Cannons (1990) — Rachel
25. The View (1997) — Self
26. Slipstream (2007) — Bonnie
27. Peeples (2013) — Daphne Peeples
28. The Gabby Douglas Story (2014) — Miss Caroline
29. Pee-wee's Playhouse (1986) — Reba
30. Eye for an Eye (2025) — May
31. Rachael Ray (2006) — Self
32. Pee-wee's Playhouse Christmas Special (1988) — Reba
33. LIVE with Kelly and Mark (1988) — Self - Guest
34. The Challenger (2015) — Jada
35. We Grown Now (2024) — Anita
36. Today (1952) — Self
37. Lackawanna Blues (2005) — Rachel 'Nanny' Crosby
38. Law & Order: Trial by Jury (2005) — Anita Van Buren
39. A Place for Annie (1994) — Alice
40. Exiled (1998) — Lieutenant Anita Van Buren

Directed

1. The Contradictions of Fair Hope (2013) — Director