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S. Epatha Merkerson Biography

Birth Name:Sharon Epatha Merkerson

Birth Place:Saginaw, Michigan, United States

Profession Actress, Soundtrack, Director, Producer

Fast Facts

An advocate for lung cancer research and awareness, she sat on the Board of Directors of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and won the Regulus Award from the Cancer Care organization for her dedication to the cause
Her regular television debut was on "Pee-wee's Playhouse," and in an early episode in which she appears, she found the Pee-wee Herman character so funny she had to stare at a plate through an entire scene to keep from laughing
Quote: "I think the great thing about living is that you keep learning․"
Her character in "Law and Order," Lieutenant Van Buren, was the longest running cast member on the series and, as of a 2008 interview with Michel Martin on NPR, the longest-running African-American television character in history
Has stated that the vulnerability of her character in the play "Come Back Little Sheba" was a challenge because she is usually typecast as strong, authoritative women
Is sometimes approached by police officers who ask her to join their precinct, which she takes as a high compliment
Legally changed her first name to S, but prefers to be called Epatha

Awards

1995Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series: nominated
1996Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series: nominated
1997Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series: nominated
1997Image Award-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
1998Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series: nominated
1998Image Award-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
1999Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series: nominated
1999Image Award-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
2000Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series: nominated
2001Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series: nominated
2001Image Award-Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
2002Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series: nominated
2004Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series: nominated
2005Camie-: winner
2005Gold Derby TV Award-TV Movie/Mini Lead Actress: winner
2005OFTA Television Award-Best Actress in a Motion Picture or Miniseries: winner
2005Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie: winner
2005Satellite Award-Outstanding Actress in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
2005WIN Award-Actress in Made-for-TV Movie/Miniseries: nominated
2006Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries: winner
2006Black Reel-Best Actress - Television: winner
2006Independent Spirit Award-Best Female Lead: nominated
2006Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television: winner
2006Gracie-Outstanding Female Lead - Miniseries: winner
2006Image Award-Outstanding Actress in a TV Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special: winner
2006Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: winner
2006Vision Award-Best Dramatic Performance: nominated
2006Prism Award-Performance in a TV-Movie or Miniseries: winner
2007Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
2008Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
2008Image Award-Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special: nominated
2009Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
2010Gold Derby TV Award-TV Movie/Mini Actress of the Decade: nominated
2010Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: winner
2011Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: winner
2013Black Reel-Best Independent Documentary: nominated
2016Best Ensemble-Feature Dramedy: winner
2023OFTA Television Award-Best Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2024Black Reel-Outstanding Guest Performance in a Comedy Series: nominated