S. Epatha Merkerson | Rotten Tomatoes (2024)

Highest Rated: 93% We Grown Now (2023)

Lowest Rated: 13% The Rising Place (2002)

Birthday: Nov 28, 1952

Birthplace: Saginaw, Michigan, USA

As an acclaimed performer with gritty but approachable style, actress S. Epatha Merkerson began her career on the stage both on and off-Broadway before moving to television, where she played the longest-running character on the seemingly eternal "Law & Order" (NBC, 1990-2010). Prior to her run on the procedural, Merkerson was perhaps best known for her small, but memorable role as a screaming wife in "Terminator 2: Judgment Day" (1991) while continuing her onstage success with an OBIE Award for her performance in "I'm Not Stupid" (1992). But in 1993, Merkerson went from virtual unknown to household regular who, over the next 17 years, was seen portraying the tough, but determined Lt. Anita Van Buren on "Law & Order," a role she reprised in episodes of the spin-off series and a made-for-television movie. She had arguably her greatest critical success with her leading performance as the spirited "Nanny" Crosby in the acclaimed television movie "Lackawanna Blues" (HBO, 2005), a role that won the actress both a Golden Globe and Emmy Award. Because of her longevity on "Law & Order" and the praise received for "Lackawanna Blues," Merkerson emerged as a highly desirable character actress capable of delivering consistent quality performances.

Highest rated movies

93% 79% We Grown Now Watchlist 91% 95% Terminator 2: Judgment Day Watchlist 90% 80% Lincoln Watchlist 79% 76% Mother and Child Watchlist 75% 91% Lackawanna Blues Watchlist 66% 69% Black Snake Moan Watchlist 48% 81% Year by the Sea Watchlist 40% 49% Peeples Watchlist 35% 79% Radio Watchlist 13% 80% The Rising Place Watchlist

Photos

View All S. Epatha Merkerson photos

S. Epatha Merkerson

S. Epatha Merkerson S. Epatha Merkerson S. Epatha Merkerson Chicago Fire, S Epatha Merkerson (L), Laurie Holden (R), 'I Am The Apocalypse', Season 3, Ep. #19, 04/07/2015, ©NBC Chicago Fire, from left: Lauren German, S Epatha Merkerson, Emily Shaffer, Patrick Flueger, 'I Am The Apocalypse', Season 3, Ep. #19, 04/07/2015, ©NBC YEAR BY THE SEA, L-R: KAREN ALLEN, S. EPATHA MERKERSON, CELIA IMRIE, 2016. ©REAL WOMEN MAKE WAVES YEAR BY THE SEA, CENTER: S. EPATHA MERKERSON, RIGHT: KAREN ALLEN, 2016. ©REAL WOMEN MAKE WAVES Chicago Med, S Epatha Merkerson (L), Oliver Platt (R), 'An Honest Mistake', Season 1, Ep. #4, 12/08/2015, ©NBC Chicago Med, S Epatha Merkerson (L), Oliver Platt (R), 'Fallback Plan', Season 1, Ep. #3, 12/01/2015, ©NBC Chicago Med, S Epatha Merkerson, 'iNO', Season 1, Ep. #2, 11/24/2015, ©NBC View more photos

Filmography

Movies

Credit
93% 79% We Grown Now Anita (Character) $296.2K 2023
48% 81% Year by the Sea Liz (Character) - 2016
No Score Yet 52% The Challenger Jada (Character) $19.0K 2015
No Score Yet 78% The Gabby Douglas Story Miss Caroline (Character) - 2014
40% 49% Peeples Daphne Peeples (Character) $9.1M 2013
90% 80% Lincoln Lydia Smith (Character) $182.2M 2012
No Score Yet No Score Yet The Contradictions of Fair Hope Director,
Executive Producer
- 2012
79% 76% Mother and Child Ada (Character) $1.1M 2009
No Score Yet No Score Yet Zora Neale Hurston: Jump at the Sun Narrator - 2008
No Score Yet 25% The Six Wives of Henry Lefay Effa (Character) - 2008
No Score Yet 69% Girl, Positive Ariel Winters (Character) - 2007
66% 69% Black Snake Moan Angela (Character) $9.4M 2007
75% 91% Lackawanna Blues Rachel "Nanny" Crosby (Character) - 2005
35% 79% Radio Maggie (Character) $52.3M 2003
13% 80% The Rising Place Lessie Watson (Character) - 2002
No Score Yet 61% A Girl Thing Lani (Co-worker) (Character) - 2001
No Score Yet 52% Lieutenant Anita Van Buren (Character) - 1998
No Score Yet No Score Yet An Unexpected Life Beverly Hawkins (Character) - 1998
No Score Yet 83% Breaking Through Barbara (Character) - 1996
No Score Yet No Score Yet Breaking Free Barbara (Character) - 1996
No Score Yet No Score Yet A Mother's Prayer Ruby (Character) - 1995
No Score Yet 68% A Place for Annie Alice (Character) - 1994
No Score Yet No Score Yet It's Nothing Personal Louise Waters (Character) - 1993
91% 95% Terminator 2: Judgment Day Tarissa Dyson (Character) $552.8K 1991

TV

Credit
No Score Yet 75% Chicago Med Sharon Goodwin (Character) 2015-2024
No Score Yet 88% Chicago Fire Sharon Goodwin (Guest Star) 2015-2017 2019 2023-2024
No Score Yet 44% The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon Guest 2024
98% 81% Poker Face Joyce Harris (Guest Star) 2023
No Score Yet No Score Yet Antiques Roadshow Guest 2021
No Score Yet No Score Yet Finding Your Roots Guest 2019-2020
No Score Yet 88% Chicago P.D. Sharon Goodwin (Guest Star) 2016 2018-2019
No Score Yet No Score Yet Find Our Missing Host 2012-2013
37% 73% Deception Beverly (Guest Star) 2013
No Score Yet No Score Yet The Wendy Williams Show Guest 2012-2013
93% 91% The Good Wife Judge Melanie Ellis (Guest Star) 2013
78% 60% Drop Dead Diva Judge Hiller (Guest Star) 2012
No Score Yet 83% Lt. Anita Van Buren (Character) 1993-2010
83% 84% The Closer Dr. Rebecca Dioli (Guest Star) 2007
No Score Yet No Score Yet Rachael Ray Guest 2006
No Score Yet No Score Yet Unknown (Guest Star) 2005
No Score Yet 72% Unknown (Guest Star) 2002
95% 95% Frasier Dr. McCaskill (Guest Star) 2000
No Score Yet No Score Yet The Daily Show Guest 2000
17% No Score Yet Here and Now Claudia St. Marth (Character) 1992-1993
S. Epatha Merkerson | Rotten Tomatoes (2024)

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Lilliana Bartoletti

Last Updated:

Views: 6199

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (53 voted)

Reviews: 84% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Lilliana Bartoletti

Birthday: 1999-11-18

Address: 58866 Tricia Spurs, North Melvinberg, HI 91346-3774

Phone: +50616620367928

Job: Real-Estate Liaison

Hobby: Graffiti, Astronomy, Handball, Magic, Origami, Fashion, Foreign language learning

Introduction: My name is Lilliana Bartoletti, I am a adventurous, pleasant, shiny, beautiful, handsome, zealous, tasty person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.