S. Epatha Merkerson

Sharon Epatha Merkerson (the middle name is pronounced ee-pay-thuh), known as S. Epatha Merkerson, is an American actress. She was born on November 28, 1952. She is best known as Lieutenant Anita Van Buren in the Law & Order television series. She was on Law & Order from 1993 until it stopped airing new episodes in 2010, and she was in 391 episodes. This was more than any other actor on the show.

She has won a Golden Globe, an Emmy award, an Obie Award, four NAACP Image Awards, and a Screen Actors Guild Award.