S. Epatha Merkerson

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9.3 Superb
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Biography

Recent Role:
Lt. Anita Van Buren on Law & Order
Gender:
Female
Birthplace:
Saginaw, Michigan
Birth Name:
Sharon Epatha Merkerson
AKA:
Epatha Merkerson, Epatha Merkinson, S. Epatha Merkerson
The youngest of five children. Grew up in Michigan. Attended Wayne State University in Detroit. S. Epatha made her Broadway debut as the understudy for Lynne Thigpen in the musical Tintypes. It was ten years later she created the role of Bernice, the no nonsense wife, in August Wilson's Puliter Prize winning play, The Piano Lesson. She received a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Play and a Drama Desk nomination for Best Actress in a Play. It was another 18 years before she would return to Broadway in the revival of Come Back, Little Sheba recreating the role of LolaMore (which made Shirley Booth a star.)

S. Epatha made her television series debut in the Saturday morning show Peewee's Playhouse playing Reba the Mail Lady. It was a guest role in Season One of Law & Order, that led to her being cast as a regular starting in Season Four. This makes Lieutenant Anita Van Buren the show's longest running character.

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  •  
    10 Perfect
    Underrated Actress hide show

    I think S. Epatha Merkerson is a very underratted and gifted actress. She is the reason I watch Law & Order. I think that she should be used more in the show instead of always in the office or behind her desk. I think she did a extraordinary in the movie Lackawanna Blues. I love the way she plays her character Lt. Anita Van Buren on Law & Order. I just hope they do more with her character on Law & Order instead of having her behind her desk all the time or out of the office on very rare occasions.

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    10 Perfect
    Tremendeously talented & versatile, a sassy actress who turns any role she touches into an outstanding performance. Her range runs the gamut. She is finally being given her props. From Pee Wee's Playouse, Law and Order to Lackawana Blues, she does it all. hide show

    I've had the pleasure of following her career from her theatre days and I can honestly say that any role she plays she plays with passion and profession. Although she's won several awards, I think she's just starting to be fully appreciated and recognized. Lackawanna Blues played a huge role in this and I was happy for that. She's a wonderful actress and I think she still has a wide range of performances to give. She only gets better with time. Some day I'd like to see her in a sitcom that lasts. And I'm definitely waiting for her to be in a major motion picture.

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    10 Perfect
    Very underrated actress hide show

    This is one lady that can play any role and bring so much emotion to it. I have watched her for years on Law&Order and loved her as Lt Van Buren, she has to be tough with the people working under her, but has their respect and in turn she respects them. She was so good in Lackawanna Blues and it seems she was just right to play the role. She puts her all into the role she is playing and it shows. I hear she does a lot of charity work and that makes her a top person in my opinion.

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    10 Perfect
    from maid to LT. hide show

    S Epatha Merkerson is one of the most talented actresses that is night time television. She is able to play any role she is given. She played a maid on the law and order series who was in distress. Now she plays a lieutenent in law and order and she played both roles convincingly. She makes you believe in her character and pulls you in to love what she does or hate what she does. She is a great actress.

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    10 Perfect
    biggest fan hide show

    her biggest biggest fan stays in faytetteville north carolina and has been e-mailing oprah to meet her but nothing has happened but i wanted to let her know that im her biggest fan one day i do hope to meet her i watch her when she's on my tv is program to any show that she is in and auto tune to the channel may be one day i will long to meet her

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