S. Epatha Merkerson
S. Epatha Merkerson | |
|---|---|
 Merkerson in 2017 | |
| Born | Sharon Epatha Merkerson November 28, 1952 Saginaw, Michigan, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Wayne State University (BFA) |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1976–present |
| Spouse(s) | Toussaint L. Jones
(m. 1994; div. 2006) |
Sharon Epatha Merkerson (/iˈpeɪθə/; born November 28, 1952)[1] is an American film, stage, and television actress. She has received numerous high-profile accolades for her work, including an Emmy Award, a Golden Globe Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, four NAACP Image Awards, two Obie Awards and two Tony Award nominations. She is best known for her award-winning portrayal of Lieutenant Anita Van Buren on the NBC police procedural drama series Law & Order, a role she played from 1993 to 2010, appearing in 395 episodes of the series.[2][3] She is also known for playing Sharon Goodwin in Chicago Med.
Early life[]
Merkerson was born in Saginaw, Michigan.[4][5][6] Her parents separated when she was five.[6] She was one of five children raised by their mother who worked for the United States Postal Service. Merkerson grew up in what she recalled to be a majority Euro-American neighborhood in Detroit.[4][5]
During a segment on the January 31, 2012, episode of The Wendy Williams Show, when questioned about the origin of her name, Merkerson shared that "Epatha" was the name of "a grade-school teacher who was influential in keeping [her father] in school".[2] She further went on to clarify that she prefers to be addressed as "Epatha" as opposed to "S. Epatha".[2]
Merkerson graduated from Cooley High School in 1970. Initially she attended Eastern Michigan University as a dance major, but she transferred to Indiana University Bloomington thereafter. She completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts in theatre at Wayne State University in 1976.[6][5] She was conferred an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Wayne State University in May 2009[7] and received the same distinction from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore in 2012, Montclair State University in 2013 and the University of Pittsburgh in 2017.
Career[]
In 1978, Merkerson moved to Albany, New York, to join a theater company. She later moved to New York City.[6]
Merkerson made her television debut as Reba the Mail Lady on Pee-wee's Playhouse. Merkerson has also appeared on The Cosby Show, among other series.[7]
She first appeared in the NBC police procedural drama Law & Order in "Mushrooms" (Season 1: Episode 17) as the grief-stricken mother of an 11-month-old boy who is shot accidentally. Her performance impressed the producers enough to select Merkerson to replace Dann Florek as detective squad chief in the series' fourth season, making her one of the few actors to secure a recurring role after an initial single appearance on the show.
Merkerson's career began to rise after she assumed the lead role in the one-woman play Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill. That was followed by her performance as Berniece in August Wilson's Pulitzer Prize–winning play The Piano Lesson. For that, she was nominated for a Tony Award as Best Featured Actress in a Play. Merkerson won an Obie Award in 1992 for her work in I'm Not Stupid.[7] Her screen credits include Jacob's Ladder, Loose Cannons, She's Gotta Have It, James Cameron's Terminator 2: Judgment Day; and Navy Seals. In 2006, she won a Golden Globe Award, an Emmy Award and a Screen Actors Guild award for her performance in the HBO film Lackawanna Blues. In 2007, she starred as Lola Delaney in the Los Angeles stage production of William Inge's Come Back, Little Sheba, playing the role made famous by Shirley Booth. In 2003 she also played a role in the Movie Radio, as Maggie Kennedy Radio’s mother. In January 2008 the production opened a successful run on Broadway and earned Merkerson her second Tony nomination.
On April 1, 2010, it was confirmed that after 17 seasons, Merkerson would leave Law & Order at the end of the show's twentieth season.[3] Her departure from Law & Order, which aired on May 24, 2010, was also the show's final episode. In total, Merkerson appeared on the series for 17 consecutive seasons—395 episodes—which was more than any other actor associated with the program.[8]
In 2012, Merkerson became the host of Find Our Missing, a reality-reenactment series on TV One which profiles missing people of color.[9] She performed in Steven Spielberg's 2012 film Lincoln as Lydia Hamilton Smith, housekeeper to Tommy Lee Jones's character, Congressman Thaddeus Stevens.
In 2014, Merkerson appeared in the Primary Stages production of While I Yet Live, which was written by Billy Porter. In 2015, she joined the cast of NBC medical drama Chicago Med as Sharon Goodwin, Chief of Medical Services. The series was conceived and written by Law & Order creator Dick Wolf, along with Matt Olmstead, Derek Haas and Michael Brandt.[10] Also in 2014, Merkerson became a spokesperson for Merck America’s Diabetes Challenge, to increase Type 2 diabetes awareness among African Americans.
Personal life[]
Merkerson appeared on the television series of Henry Louis Gates' Finding Your Roots on February 5, 2019 (Season 5, Episode 5), in which he revealed that she was a descendant of Isaac Hawkins and eight others of the 272 enslaved people who were sold in the 1838 Jesuit slave sale by Jesuit priests. These priests owned plantations on which the enslaved people tilled tobacco; proceeds from the sale were used to pay off the debts of the Jesuit-operated Georgetown College (now Georgetown University).[11]
Merkerson is an outspoken advocate against smoking and for lung cancer research and awareness.
From 1994 to 2006, Merkerson was married to Toussaint L. Jones.[6]
Filmography[]
Film[]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | She's Gotta Have It | Dr. Jamison | |
| 1990 | Loose Cannons | Officer Rachel | |
| 1990 | Jacob's Ladder | Elsa | |
| 1990 | Navy Seals | Jolena 'Jo' | |
| 1991 | Terminator 2: Judgment Day | Tarissa Dyson | |
| 1999 | Random Hearts | Nea | |
| 2001 | The Rising Place | Lessie Watson | |
| 2003 | Radio | Maggie | |
| 2004 | Jersey Girl | Doctor | |
| 2006 | Black Snake Moan | Angela | |
| 2007 | Slipstream | Bonnie | |
| 2009 | The Six Wives of Henry Lefay | Effa | |
| 2009 | Mother and Child | Ada | |
| 2012 | Find Our Missing | Herself | |
| 2012 | Lincoln | Lydia Smith | |
| 2013 | Tyler Perry Presents Peeples | Daphne Peeples | |
| 2015 | The Challenger | Jada Miller | |
| 2016 | Year by the Sea | Liz |
Television[]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986–1989 | Pee-wee's Playhouse | Reba, The Mail Woman | 16 episodes |
| 1988 | The Cosby Show | Book Club Member #5 | Episode: "Bookworm" |
| 1989 | CBS Summer Playhouse | Jimmie | Episode: "Elysian Fields" |
| 1990 | Equal Justice | Mrs. Walters | Episode: "Pilot" |
| 1991 | Law & Order | Denise Winters | Episode: "Mushrooms" |
| 1992 | Mann & Machine | Captain Margaret Claghorn | 9 episodes |
| 1992–1993 | Here and Now | Ms. St. Marth | 12 episodes |
| 1993–2010 | Law & Order | Lieutenant Anita Van Buren | 388 episodes NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (2006, 2010–11) Nominated—NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series (1997–99, 2001) Nominated—NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (2007–09) Nominated—Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series (1997–2002, 2004) |
| 1994 | A Place for Annie | Alice | Television movie |
| 1995 | A Mother's Prayer | Ruby | Television movie |
| 1998 | Exiled | Lieutenant Anita Van Buren | Television movie |
| 2000 | Frasier | Dr. McCaskill | Episode: "Dark Side of the Moon" |
| 2001 | Art:21 | Herself | Episode: "Spirituality" |
| 2001 | A Girl Thing | Lani | Television movie |
| 2002 | Law & Order: Criminal Intent | Lieutenant Anita Van Buren | Episode: "Badge" |
| 2005 | Law & Order: Trial by Jury | Lieutenant Anita Van Buren | Episode: "Skeleton" |
| 2005 | Lackawanna Blues | Rachel 'Nanny' Crosby | Television movie Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Miniseries or Television Film Gracie Allen Award for Outstanding Female Lead in a Miniseries NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie Prism Award for Performance in a Television Movie or Miniseries Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie Nominated—Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead Nominated—Satellite Award for Best Actress – Miniseries or Television Film |
| 2007 | The Closer | Dr. Rebecca Dioli | 3 episodes |
| 2007 | Girl, Positive | Ariel Winters | Television movie Nominated—NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special |
| 2012 | Drop Dead Diva | Judge Hiller | Episode: "Lady Parts" |
| 2013 | The Good Wife | Judge Melanie Ellis | Episode: "Going for the Gold" |
| 2013 | Deception | Beverly | 3 episodes |
| 2014 | The Gabby Douglas Story | Miss Caroline | Television movie |
| 2015 | Being Mary Jane | Mark's Mother | Episode: "Freedom" |
| 2015–Present | Chicago Fire | Sharon Goodwin | 5 episodes |
| Chicago Med | Main | ||
| 2016–Present | Chicago P.D. | 5 episodes |
Awards and nominations[]
- Awards
- 1992 Obie Award Outstanding Performance (I'm Not Stupid)
- 1999 Helen Hayes Award Outstanding Lead Actress-Resident Play (The Old Settler)
- 2002 Regulus Award For her dedication to lung cancer awareness and education
- 2005 Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie (Lackawanna Blues)
- 2006 SunDeis Film Festival at Brandeis University Entertainer of the Year Award
- 2006 Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries (Lackawanna Blues)
- 2006 PRISM Award Performance in a TV-Movie or Miniseries (Lackawanna Blues)
- 2006 Obie Award Outstanding Performance (Birdie Blue)
- 2006 NAACP Image Award Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (Law & Order)
- 2006 NAACP Image Award Best Actress in a Made for TV Movie, Miniseries or Dramatic Special (Lackawanna Blues)
- 2006 Gracie Allen Award Outstanding Female Lead – Miniseries (Lackawanna Blues)
- 2006 Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Mini-Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television (Lackawanna Blues)
- 2006 Black Reel Award Best Actress in a Made for TV Movie or Miniseries (Lackawanna Blues)
- 2010 NAACP Image Award Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (Law & Order)
- 2011 NAACP Image Award Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (Law & Order)
- 2013 Honorary Degree, Doctor of Letters, Montclair State University
- Nominations
- 1990 Helen Hayes Award Best Actress, Non-Resident Play (The Piano Lesson)
- 1990 Drama Desk Award Best Actress, Lead Role-Play (The Piano Lesson)
- 1990 Tony Award Best Actress, Featured Role-Play (The Piano Lesson)
- 1997 NAACP Image Award Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series (Law & Order)
- 1998 NAACP Image Award Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series (Law & Order)
- 1999 NAACP Image Award Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series (Law & Order)
- 2001 NAACP Image Award Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series (Law & Order)
- 2003 Lucille Lortel Award Outstanding Lead Actress (Fucking A)
- 2003 Drama League Award Distinguished Performance (Fucking A)
- 2005 Satellite Award Outstanding Actress in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television (Lackawanna Blues)
- 2006 Vision Award Best Dramatic Performance (Lackawanna Blues)
- 2006 Lucille Lortel Award Best Actress (Birdie Blue)
- 2006 Independent Spirit Award Best Female Lead (Lackawanna Blues)
- 2006 Drama League Award Distinguished Performance (Birdie Blue)
- 2007 NAACP Image Award Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (Law & Order)
- 2008 NAACP Image Award Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (Law & Order)
- 2008 NAACP Image Award Best Actress in a Made for TV Movie, Miniseries or Dramatic Special (Girl, Positive)
- 2008 Tony Award Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play (Come Back, Little Sheba)
- 2008 NAACP Theatre Award Best Lead Female – Equity (Come Back, Little Sheba)
References[]
- ^ "S. Epatha Merkerson in 'Come Back, Little Sheba'". The Leonard Lopate Show. New York City: WNYC. February 22, 2008. Archived from the original on February 25, 2008. Retrieved February 23, 2008.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c "Interview with S. Epatha Merkerson". The Wendy Williams Show. Archived from the original on February 26, 2012. Retrieved January 31, 2012.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Exclusive: S. Epatha Merkerson exits 'Law & Order'". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on April 4, 2010. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
- ^ Jump up to: a b Fletcher, Sharon Melson. "S. Epatha Merkerson". Contemporary Black Biography. Gale. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c "S. Epatha Merkerson". TV Guide. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c d e "S. Epatha Merkerson". Biography.com. A&E Networks. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c Merkerson, S. Epatha. "Interview". Inside the Actors Studio (Interview).
- ^ "Closing the Case With Law & Order's S. Epatha Merkerson" tv.com, Retrieved January 31, 2012
- ^ Labbé-DeBose, Theola (January 18, 2012). "TV One's 'Find Our Missing' highlight African Americans who vanished". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 28, 2012.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie. "Laurie Holden Cast In NBC's 'Chicago Med'". Deadline.com. Retrieved March 11, 2015.
- ^ "PBS' Finding Your Roots Shares History of the GU272". Georgetown Voice. February 15, 2019.
External links[]
- S. Epatha Merkerson at IMDb
- S. Epatha Merkerson at the Internet Broadway Database
- S. Epatha Merkerson at The Interviews: An Oral History of Television
| show Authority control  |
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- 1952 births
- 20th-century American actresses
- 21st-century American actresses
- Actresses from Detroit
- Best Miniseries or Television Movie Actress Golden Globe winners
- Living people
- Obie Award recipients
- Outstanding Performance by a Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Movie Primetime Emmy Award winners
- Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie Screen Actors Guild Award winners
- People from Saginaw, Michigan
- Wayne State University alumni
- American television actresses
- African-American actresses
- American film actresses
- African-American female singers
- American musical theatre actresses
- American stage actresses
- Eastern Michigan University alumni
- Indiana University Bloomington alumni
- Cooley High School alumni