Biography
S. Epatha Merkerson is an American actress. Born Sharon Epatha Merkerson on 28 November 1952 in Saginaw, Michigan, she was raised in Detroit and earned a BFA in theatre from Wayne State University in 1976 before moving to New York City.
She trained further at New York University and began her career on stage. Merkerson is known for her long-running role as Lieutenant Anita Van Buren on the NBC series Law & Order (1993–2010), appearing in 388 episodes, as well as Sharon Goodwin on Chicago Med and Reba the Mail Lady on Pee-wee's Playhouse. Her film credits include Jacob's Ladder (1990), Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) as Tarissa Dyson, Radio (2003), Black Snake Moan (2006) and Lincoln (2012).
She has received an Emmy Award, a Golden Globe Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, four NAACP Image Awards, two Obie Awards and two Tony Award nominations.
