S. Epatha Merkerson has won critical acclaim for her brilliant work in theatre, television and film. She garnered a 2006 NAACP Image Award, Emmy Award, Golden Globe Award, SAG Award, Gracie Allen Award and an IFP Spirit nomination for her portrayal of Rachel "Nanny" Crosby in the HBO film Lackawanna Blues. The award-winning actress was born on November 28, 1952 in Saginaw, Michigan and graduated from Cooley High School in 1970. She was educated at Wayne State University, first majoring in dance before concentrating on acting. After graduation, she began her New York theater career in 1978.
S. Epatha Merkerson made her television debut in PeeWee’s Playhouse, appearing as Reba the Mail Woman from 1987 to 1989. She was also featured in The Cosby Show and CBS Summer Playhouse, eventually landing a role in TV productions of Moe’s World and Equal Justice. She gained acclaim portraying a grieving mother in an episode of Law & Order, which soon caused her to replace Dann Florek as a detective squad chief in the fourth season of the series. She received a 2006 NAACP Image Award for her portrayal of Lieutenant Anita Van Buren, whose wisdom has guided many investigations of the team. Merkerson has also been nominated for a Tony Award as Best Featured Actress in a Play, performing in August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson. In 1992, she won an Obie Award for her work in I’m Not Stupid. Some of the films that she has appeared in include Jacob’s Ladder, She’s Gotta Have It and Loose Cannons. She was also seen in James Cameron’s Terminator 2: Judgment Day, playing the wife of Joe Morton. She earned her second Tony nomination for the revival of Come Back, Little Sheba in 2008. Merkerson has also played Anita Van Buren in Exiled: A Law & Order Movie, Law & Order: Criminal Intent and Law & Order: Trial by Jury. She has also made appearances in Frasier, and films like Jersey Girl, Radio and Black Snake Moan.