S. Epatha Merkerson Biography
S. Epatha Merkerson is an American film, stage, and television actress who was born in Saginaw, Michigan, the United States as Sharon Epatha Merkerson. She received various high-profile accolades for her work, such as an Emmy Award, a Golden Globe Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, four NAACP Image Awards, two Obie Awards as well as two Tony Award nominations.
She is well known for her award-winning portrayal of Lieutenant Anita Van Buren on the NBC police procedural drama series Law & Order, a role she performed from 1993 to 2010, appearing in 395 episodes of the series. Also, she is known for playing Sharon Goodwin in Chicago Med.
10 Quick Facts About S. Epatha Merkerson
- Name: S. Epatha Merkerson
- Age: 71 Years Old
- Birthday: 28 November
- Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius
- Height: 5 feet 5 inches
- Nationality: American
- Occupation: Film, stage, and television actress
- Marital Status: Divorced
- Salary: To be updated
- Net worth: $11 million dollars
S. Epatha Merkerson Age
Merkerson is 71 years old. She was born on 28 November 1952 in Saginaw, Michigan, United States. He celebrates his birthday on 28 November every year, and her birth sign is Sagittarius.
S. Epatha Merkerson Height
Merkerson stands at a height of 5 feet 5 inches.
S Epatha Merkerson Weight Loss
Merkerson has a moderate weight, however, she has not shared information about his weight loss. However, we are keeping tabs and we shall update this section as soon as the information is available.
Early Life and Education
Epatha Merkerson graduated in 1970, from Cooley High School. Initially, Merkerson attended Eastern Michigan University as a dance major and later transferring to Indiana University, Bloomington, in 1976 she completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts in theatre at Wayne State University.
In May 2009, Merkerson conferred an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Wayne State University 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.
Rise To Fame
Merkerson is an American actress best known for her 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 388 episodes of the series.
She has received 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.
S. Epatha Merkerson Family
S. Epath was born to her parents Ann Merkerson(mother), a postal worker, and Toussaint L. Jones(father)a social worker and therapist.
When S. Epatha Merkerson was five years old her parents separated, being one of five children raised by a single mother who worked for the United States Postal Service, Merkerson grew up in what she called to be a majority-white neighborhood in Detroit.
S. Epatha Merkerson Husband
Merkerson was married to Toussaint L. Jones. The couple married in 1994 and divorced in 2006.
S Epatha Merkerson Salary Per Episode
Merkerson’s salary per episode is not known. We are keeping tabs and we shall update this section as soon as the information is available.
S Epatha Merkerson Net Worth
Merkerson has an estimated net worth of $11 million dollars as of 2021. This includes her assets, money, and income. Her primary source of income is her career as a film, stage, and television actress. Through his various sources of income, Merkerson has been able to accumulate good fortune but prefers to lead a modest lifestyle
S. Epatha Merkerson Measurements and Facts
Here are some interesting facts and body measurements you should know about S. Epatha Merkerson.
S. Epatha Merkerson Wiki
- Full Names: Sharon Epatha Merkerson
- Popular As: Film actress
- Gender: Female
- Occupation / Profession: Film, stage, and television actress
- Nationality: American
- Race / Ethnicity: White
- Religion: Not Known
- Sexual Orientation: Straight
S. Epatha Merkerson Birthday
- Age / How Old?: 71 Years Old
- Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius
- Date of Birth: 28 November 1952
- Place of Birth: Saginaw, Michigan, United States.
- Birthday: 28 November
S. Epatha Merkerson Body Measurements
- Body Measurements: Not Available
- Height / How Tall?: 1.67 m
- Weight: Moderate
- Eye Color: Black
- Hair Color: Black
- Shoe Size: Not Available
S. Epatha Merkerson Family and Relationship
- Father (Dad): Toussaint L. Jones
- Mother: Ann Merkerson
- Siblings (Brothers and Sisters): Not Known
- Marital Status: Divorced
- Husband/Spouse: Married to Toussaint L. Jones(1994-2006)
- Dating / Boyfriend: Single
- Children: Sons (Not known) Daughter(s) (Not known)
S. Epatha Merkerson Net Worth and Salary
- Net Worth: $11 million dollars as of 2021
- Salary: Under Review
- Source of Income: Film, stage, and television actress
Law And Order
Merkerson performed in 2014, in the Primary Stages production of While I Yet Live, which was written by Billy Porter. In the year 2015, she joined the cast of NBC medical drama Chicago Med as Sharon Goodwin, Chief of Medical Services.
The series was conceived as well as written by Law and Order creator Dick Wolf alongside Matt Olmstead, Derek Haas, and Michael Brandt. Also, in the year 2014, Merkerson became a spokesperson for Merck America’s Diabetes Challenge, to increase Type 2 diabetes awareness among African Americans.
It was confirmed on 1 April 2010, that after 17 seasons, Merkerson would leave Law & Order at the end of the show’s twentieth season. Merkerson’s departure from Law & Order, which aired on May 24, 2010, was also the show’s final episode.
Actress
Merkerson star began to rise after she assumed the lead role in the one-woman play, Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill. She was also nominated for a Tony Award as Best Featured Actress in a Play as Berniece in August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play The Piano Lesson for her performance.
Finding Your Roots
Merkerson was featured on the television series of Henry Louis Gates’ Finding Your Roots on 5 February 2019 (Season 5, Episode 5), in which he disclosed 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).
S Epatha Merkerson Emmy
Merkerson won a Golden Globe Award in the year 2006, an Emmy Award, and a Screen Actors Guild award for her performance in the HBO film Lackawanna Blues.
She starred as Lola Delaney in the Los Angeles stage production of William Inge’s Come Back, in 2007, Little Sheba, playing the role made famous by Shirley Booth. The production opened a successful run on Broadway in January 2008 and earned Merkerson her second Tony nomination.
Cancer
S. Epatha Merkerson is an outspoken advocate against smoking and for lung cancer research and awareness. She also assured her fans that her health is fine. “It’s Lt. Van Buren who’s going through cervical cancer, not me.”
however, Merkerson is on a serious anti-smoking crusade: “If someone had told me that two close friends who celebrated my 40th birthday would not be around to celebrate my 50th, I would have said they were lying. I miss them.”
Movies
- 1986 She’s Gotta Have It Doctor Jamison
- 1990 Loose Cannons Rachel
- 1990 Jacob’s Ladder Elsa
- 1990 Navy Seals Jolena
- 1991 Terminator 2: Judgment Day Tarissa Dyson
- 2009 Mother and Child Ada
- 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
TV Shows
- 1986–1989 Pee-wee’s Playhouse Reba the Mail Woman
- 1988 The Cosby Show Book Club Member #5
- 1989 CBS Summer Playhouse Jimmie
- 1990 Equal Justice Mrs. Walters
- 1991 Law & Order Denise Winters
- 1992 Mann & Machine Capt. Margaret Claghorn
- 1992–1993 Here and Now Ms. St. Marth
- 1993–2010 Law & Order Anita Van Buren
- 1994 A Place for Annie Alice
- 2007 Girl, Positive Ariel Winters
- 2012 Drop Dead Diva Judge Hiller
- 2013 The Good Wife Judge Melanie Ellis
- 2013 Deception Beverly
- 2014 The Gabby Douglas Story Miss Caroline
- 2015 Being Mary Jane Mark’s mother
- 2015–Present Chicago Fire Sharon Goodwin
- Chicago Med
- 2016–Present Chicago P.D.
Hobbies and Interests
Merkerson enjoys spending her free time learning new things and exploring new experiences. She is passionate about using her hobbies to expand her horizons and grow as a person.
Humor and Personality
Merkerson is a talented and gifted individual. She has a natural ability to learn and is always eager to take on new challenges. She is also very creative and loves to express herself through her work.
Final Thoughts
Merkerson is a believer. She believes in the power of people to make a difference in the world. She is an inspiration to us all to never lose hope and to always strive for a better future.
Frequently Asked Questions About S. Epatha Merkerson
S. Epatha Merkerson is a well-known actress, film, stage, and television actress. Merkerson is notable 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.
Merkerson is an American national born on 28 November 1952 in Saginaw, Michigan, United States.
Merkerson stands at a height of 1.67 m.
Yes, Merkerson was married to Toussaint L. Jones from 1994 to 2006. They had dated from 1975. After a decade of marriage, their relationship could not work out and they called it quits. In 2006, S. Epatha Merkerson and her husband divorced.
S. Epatha Merkerson has a net worth of $11 million. Credits to her acting career for enabling accumulate such a net worth. She has been in show business for almost 33 years.
Details about Baumann’s salary are not yet disclosed. However, information about how much he makes will be updated as soon as it is available.
Merkerson is a resident of New York City, USA, we shall upload pictures of his house as soon as we have them.
Merkerson is alive and in good health. There have been no reports of him being sick or having any health-related issues.
Merkerson is still an active participant in the creative entertainment industry.
S. Epatha Merkerson Contacts
- Youtube
- Tiktok
- Website
Related Biographies
You may also like to read the Bio, Career, Family, Relationship, Body measurements, Net worth, Achievements, and more about:
About InformationCradle Editorial Staff
This Article is produced by InformationCradle Editorial Staff which is a team of expert writers and editors led by Josphat Gachie and trusted by millions of readers worldwide.
We endeavor to keep our content True, Accurate, Correct, Original and Up to Date. For complain, correction or an update, please send us an email to informationcradle@gmail.com. We promise to take corrective measures to the best of our abilities.