S. Epatha Merkerson
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.
Filmography (64 titles)
5.8MovieEye for an Eye
May · 2025
6.5MovieWe Grown Now
Anita · 2024
7.4ShowPoker Face
Joyce Carter · 2023
MovieDesmond's Not Here Anymore
Selma · 2021
MovieBarbecue
Lillie Anne · 2020
10.0MovieThe Great Work Begins: Scenes from Angels in America
Belize · 2020
MovieBlood Sugar Rising
Narrator (voice) · 2020
5.0MovieYou Can Go
Mrs. Bryant · 2016
8.0MovieYear by the Sea
Liz · 2016
8.3ShowChicago Med
Sharon Goodwin · 2015
5.9MovieThe Challenger
Jada · 2015
1.5MovieLife's Essentials with Ruby Dee
Self · 2014
5.8ShowThe Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
Self · 2014
7.4MovieThe Gabby Douglas Story
Miss Caroline · 2014
8.4ShowChicago P.D.
Sharon Goodwin · 2014
5.5MoviePeeples
Daphne Peeples · 2013
6.8MovieLincoln
Lydia Smith · 2012
8.4ShowChicago Fire
Sharon Goodwin · 2012
6.5ShowFinding Your Roots
Self · 2012
6.5MovieWe Heard the Bells: The Influenza of 1918
Narrator (voice) · 2010
6.6MovieMother and Child
Ada · 2009
7.6ShowThe Good Wife
Judge Melanie Ellis · 2009
5.3MovieThe Six Wives of Henry Lefay
Effa · 2009
8.0MovieZora Neale Hurston: Jump at the Sun
Narrator (voice) · 2008
6.1MovieGirl, Positive
Ariel Winters · 2007
4.9MovieSlipstream
Bonnie · 2007
6.8MovieBlack Snake Moan
Angela · 2006
5.1ShowRachael Ray
Self · 2006
MovieThe Best of The Tony Awards: The Plays
Berniece (segment "The Piano Lesson") · 2006
7.9ShowThe Closer
Dr. Rebecca Dioli · 2005