Sharon Epatha Merkerson Biography
Sharon Epatha Merkerson is an American film actress, on stage and also on television. Epatha is well known for her award-winning portrayal of Lieutenant Anita Van Buren in the NBC police procedural drama series Law & Order. She appeared in 395 episodes and played her role from 1993 to 2010.
Merkerson has received several high-profile accolades for her work, such as an Emmy Award, a Golden Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, four NAACP Image Awards, two Obie Awards, and two Tony Award nominations.
Sharon graduated from Cooley High School in 1970. She later joined Eastern Michigan University as a dance major. However, she transferred to Indiana University Bloomington. In 1976, she completed her Bachelor’s Degree of Fine Arts in theatre at Wayne State University. Luckily, she has conferred an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Wayne State University in May 2009. In 2012, she also received the same distinction from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Montclair State University in 2013, and the University of Pittsburgh in 2017.
Merkerson made her television debut as Reba the Mail Lady on Pee-Playhouse Wee’s and later starred on The Cosby Show and other shows. She made her first appearance as the grieving mother of an 11-month-old boy who was inadvertently shot in the NBC police procedural drama Law & Order. Her career took off once she landed the lead part in Emersons Bar and Grill’s one-woman play, Lady Day. In addition, she went on to play Berniece in August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play The Piano Lesson.
….
In 1992, she won an Obie award for her work in I’m Not Stupid. Screen credits include Jacobs Ladder, Loose Cannons, She’s Gotta Have It, James Cameron’s Terminator 2: Judgement Day, and Navy Seals. Fortunately, 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. Additionally, Sharon starred as Lola Delaney in the Los Angeles stage production of William Inge’s Come Back, Little Sheba and also played a role in the movie Radio, as Maggie Kennedy Radios’ mother. Epatha won her second Tony nomination in January 2008, when the production opened for a successful run on Broadway.
Unfortunately, it was confirmed that Merkerson would leave Law & Order at the end of the show’s twentieth season, on April 1, 2010. Moreover, she appeared on the show for 17 seasons and 395 episodes. In 2012, Sharon, fortunately, became the host of “Find Our Missing,” a reality reenactment on TV One. Additionally, Epatha performed in Steven Spielberg’s 2012 film Lincoln as Lydia Hamilton-Smith.
In 2015, Sharon appeared in the Primary Stages of production of While I Yet Live. She later joined the NBC medical drama Chicago Med as Sharon Goodwin in 2015. In addition, in 2014 she became a spokesperson for Merck America’s Diabetes Challenge. Merkerson also appeared on the television series on February 5, 2019, with Dr. Henry Louis Gates: Finding Your Roots.
Sharon Epatha Merkerson Age
How old is Sharon Epatha Merkerson? Epatha is 71 years old as of November 2023. She was born on November 28, 1952, in Saginaw, Michigan, in the United States. In addition, Epatha usually celebrates her birthday on November 28th of each year, and her birth sign is Sagittarius.
Sharon Merkerson Family
Epatha Merkerson’s parents separated when she was five years old. She was one of five children raised by their mother. Her mother worked for the United States Postal Service. However, Epatha has not disclosed much information regarding her parents and siblings in the limelight. We guarantee to keep you posted as soon as possible.
Sharon Epatha Merkerson Husband
Epatha Merkerson was married to Toussaint Louverture Jones on March 20th, 1994. Sadly, the marriage lasted for sixteen years, and they parted ways. On February 14th, 2006, they divorced. As for now, there are no details concerning Epatha’s being in a new relationship.
Sharon Epatha Height
Merkerson stands at an approximate height of 1.67m tall.
Sharon Epatha Merkerson’s Net Worth
Epatha Merkerson has an estimated net worth of around 11 million as of 2023. Her income is mainly attributed to her successful career as an actress.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.