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S. Epatha Merkerson

Birth Name:
Sharon Epatha Merkerson
Birth Place:
Saginaw, Michigan, United States
Profession
Actress, Soundtrack, Director, Producer
S. Epatha Merkerson

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․"
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 2005CamieWinner
  • 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
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