S. Epatha Merkerson (born on 28 November 1952) is an American actress. She is a well-known actress in Hollywood. She is famous for playing the role of NYPD Lieutenant Anita Van Buren (1993-2010).
Let us dive into the article to learn more about S. Epatha Merkerson’s age, career, height, and net worth.
| Profile Summary | |
|---|---|
| Name | S. Epatha Merkerson |
| Birth Date | 28 November 1952 |
| Birth Place | Saginaw, Michigan |
| Zodiac Sign | Sagittarius |
| Gender | Female |
| Age | 71 Years Old |
| Height | In Feet & Inches: 5ft 5in In Centimeter: 167cm In Meter: 1.67m |
| Weight | In Kilogram: 65kg In pounds: 143 lbs |
| Net Worth | $12 million |
| Education | Wayne State University |
| Profession | Actress |
| Martial Status | Divorced |
| Ex-Husband | Toussaint Louverture Jones Jr. |
| Nationality | American |
Page Contents
Who is S. Epatha Merkerson?
S. Epatha Merkerson is an American film, stage, and TV actress. She has received four NAACP Image Awards, a Golden Globe, an Emmy, an Obie Award, and Screen Actors Guild Awards. Additionally, she was nominated for two Tony Awards.
Her most well-known performance was in the NBC police procedural drama series Law & Order, where she played NYPD Lieutenant Anita Van Buren from 1993 to 2010. More than any other member of the cast, she made appearances in 390 episodes of the show.
Along with her roles in crossover appearances on Chicago Fire and Chicago P.D., she is best recognized for her roles as Reba the Mail Lady on Pee-wee’s Playhouse and Sharon Goodwin in the NBC medical drama Chicago Med, which debuted in November 2015.
Early Life of S. Epatha Merkerson
S. Epatha Merkerson was born on November 28, 1952, in Saginaw, Michigan. She later moved to Detroit and spent her entire childhood there. She was brought up by her mother, Ann, a post office worker, as the youngest of five children.
When asked where her name came from, Merkerson replied that “Epatha” was the name of “a grade-school teacher who was influential in keeping her father in school” during an interview on The Wendy Williams Show on January 31, 2012.
The names of her father and siblings are not disclosed on any social media platform. We will update you if we get any information in regards to their name.
S. Epatha Merkerson Age
S. Epatha Merkerson is 71 years old as of 2023. She celebrates her birthday with her close family and friends. Nothing much is disclosed about her birthday celebrations.
We presume that she organizes small parties for her loved ones often and loves to keep her partying life low-key.
S. Epatha Merkerson Education
S. Epatha Merkerson graduated from Cooley High School in 1970. Later, she went on to Wayne State University to get a Bachelor of Fine Arts in theater. In 1978, she graduated with a master’s degree in fine arts from New York University.
Wayne State University awarded her an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters in May 2009, while the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Montclair State University, the University of Pittsburgh, and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore all bestowed similar honors upon her in subsequent years.
S. Epatha Merkerson Height and Weight
S. Epatha Merkerson is 5 feet 5 inches (167 centimeters) taller. In terms of weight, she is 65 kg, which is 143 lbs. She has natural brown eyes and black hair.
Merkerson takes care of her looks and personality. She is a fitness freak too and she often visits the gym when she is not working.
S. Epatha Merkerson Career
In 1978, S. Epatha Merkerson moved to New York City. She began her television career as Reba the Mail Lady on Pee-wee’s Playhouse and appeared on shows like The Cosby Show. Merkerson made her debut on the NBC series Law & Order in Season 1, Episode 17, portraying a grief-stricken mother.
Her performance impressed producers, leading to her selection as the replacement for Dann Florek as the detective squad chief in the show’s fourth season, a rare occurrence of securing a recurring role after an initial single appearance.
Merkerson’s career took off with her lead role in Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill, followed by acclaim as Berniece in August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson, earning her a Tony nomination. She’s won 2 Obie Awards for I’m Not Stupid and Birdie Blue, a Helen Hayes Award for The Old Settler, and a Lucille Lortel nomination for F**king A.
On-screen, she appeared in Jacob’s Ladder and Terminator 2 and won accolades for Lackawanna Blues in 2006. In 2007, she starred in Come Back, Little Sheba in Los Angeles, earning her a second Tony nomination when the production moved to Broadway in 2008.
Merkerson was featured in the Primary Stages production of Billy Porter’s While I Still Live in 2014. In 2015, she was cast as Sharon Goodwin, Chief of Patient and Medical Services, in the NBC medical drama Chicago Med. Law & Order founder Dick Wolf, along with Matt Olmstead, Derek Haas, and Michael Brandt, created and wrote the series.
Merkerson became a spokesman for Merck America’s Diabetes Challenge in 2014, with the goal of raising Type 2 diabetes awareness among African Americans.
S. Epatha Merkerson Social Media
S. Epatha Merkerson is actively using social media in order to maintain her reputation and status in the Hollywood industry. She is currently available on Twitter and Instagram.
S. Epatha Merkerson has over 67k followers on Instagram. Her profile feed is filled with pictures of her show, behind-the-scenes photos, and more. She promotes brands on her social media platforms.
S. Epatha Merkerson has over 38k followers on Twitter. She often engages in retweets and threads. She shares pictures of her looks and behind-the-scenes footage from the show Chicago Med.
Apart from Twitter and Instagram, she is not available on other social media platforms like Facebook and TikTok. We will update you if she joins any other SNS.
S. Epatha Merkerson Husband
S. Epatha Merkerson was married to Toussaint Louverture Jones Jr. In 2006, they divorced. They were married for over 12 years. Epatha’s marriage has resulted in no children. Jones is an ex-social worker. In 1975, she began dating her ex-husband.
She was a member of a children’s theater company. Jones worked in Washington, DC, and Epatha in New York City, in 1980. They believed their romance was over and resolved to be friends until the end.
S. Epatha Merkerson Net Worth
S. Epatha Merkerson has a net worth of $12 million as of 2023. She made the most money as a professional film actress. She is a native of the United States.
In addition to her work on screen, Merkerson has a background in theater. She has performed in various stage productions, contributing to her income.
Merkerson has lent her voice to animated projects and narrations. Voice acting in cartoons, documentaries, or commercials is another potential source of income for actors.
Facts about S. Epatha Merkerson
- Her first name, “Epatha,” is derived from a combination of the names of her two grandmothers. It’s a variation of the African name “Lopatha.”
- She is an advocate for diabetes awareness. Merkerson was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, and she has worked to raise awareness about the condition, especially within African-American communities.
- Merkerson has lent her voice to animated projects, including narrations for documentaries and voice work in animated series.
- She has been involved in various charitable and philanthropic activities, supporting causes related to health, education, and the arts.
- Before gaining fame on television, Merkerson had an extensive career in theater.
- She appeared in various productions, including August Wilson’s “The Piano Lesson” on Broadway, for which she received a Tony Award nomination.
Final Words
S. Epatha Merkerson’s achievements, including awards and accolades, reflect not only her exceptional acting skills but also her commitment to the craft.
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