Lt. Anita Van Buren (S. Epatha Merkerson)

***John*** · 11-02-2002, 10:32 AM

S. Epatha
Merkerson
as Lt. Anita Van Buren

Tony Award nominee S. Epatha Merkerson begins her 10th season as Lt. Anita Van Buren on “Law & Order.”

Merkerson is a native of Detroit, Michigan, who earned a bachelor of fine arts degree from Wayne State University.

She has performed on and off-Broadway in productions including the 1990 Pulitzer Prize-winning play “The Piano Lesson,” for which she received a Tony and Drama Desk nomination for Best Actress. She received a 1991 Obie Award for her work in the Young Playwrights Festival’s production of “I’m Not Stupid” and a 1999 Helen Hayes Award for her role “The Old Settler” in Washington, D.C.
Merkerson’s feature-film credits include roles in “Random Hearts” (with Harrison Ford), “Terminator II: Judgment Day,” “Jacob’s Ladder,” “Navy SEALS” and “Loose Cannons” (with Gene Hackman).

Prior to “Law & Order,” Merkerson was a series regular on “Pee-Wee’s Playhouse” where she played Reba the Mail Lady. She also starred in “Mann & Machine” (produced by “Law & Order” producer Dick Wolf) and the Bill Cosby-produced comedy “Here & Now” with Malcolm Jamal Warner. Additionally, she made guest appearances on “The Cosby Show,” “Equal Justice,” and recently on NBC’s “Frasier” as the psychiatrist for Daphne Moon (Jane Leeves).

Merkerson has co-starred in numerous television movies, including “A Mother’s Prayer” with Linda Hamilton, “A Place for Annie” with Sissy Spacek, “Breaking Free” with JoBeth Williams, and “An Unexpected Life” and “It’s a Girl Thing,” both with Stockard Channing. In 1998, she reprised her role as Lieutenant Van Buren in the NBC movie “Exiled” with Chris Noth.

An outspoken advocate against smoking and for lung-cancer research and awareness, Merkerson was honored this year by the organization Cancercare in a ceremony at New York’s Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. She received the Regulus Award, which was presented to her by co-star Jesse L. Martin, for her work to broaden awareness and to save lives. She also spearheaded the creation of a quilt by the “Law & Order” cast and crew, which was auctioned to benefit the Campaign for Smoke-free Kids.

Merkerson and her husband divide their time between New York City and Maryland. Her birthday is November 28.

Google · Sponsored Links

Modesty · 11-02-2002, 02:34 PM

Wonderful character & actress! I saw an interview with her not too long time ago, and she seems like a very nice person too!

cali · 11-02-2002, 02:38 PM

She really is good. I enjoy her on the show.

***John*** · 11-02-2002, 03:18 PM

I think it was a bold move for the original L&O, casting a strong black female "in charge". What a great job she's doing, too. I really like her, both on L&O and in the movies I've seen her in.

**fluff** · 11-02-2002, 08:33 PM

Another fan here.

She does a great job on this show.
She plays a strong character very well.

LG. · 11-04-2002, 01:59 PM

She does a great job and took over Dann Florek's role seamlessly. I loved the episode they did years ago where she got robbed at an ATM and shot the perps with her kids waiting in her minivan. She got to get "out of the office" and actually have a full role that time.

11-02-2002, 10:32 AM	#1
*John* The race is back! Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: On the mat Age: 39 Posts: 40,434	Lt. Anita Van Buren (S. Epatha Merkerson) S. Epatha Merkerson as Lt. Anita Van Buren Tony Award nominee S. Epatha Merkerson begins her 10th season as Lt. Anita Van Buren on “Law & Order.” Merkerson is a native of Detroit, Michigan, who earned a bachelor of fine arts degree from Wayne State University. She has performed on and off-Broadway in productions including the 1990 Pulitzer Prize-winning play “The Piano Lesson,” for which she received a Tony and Drama Desk nomination for Best Actress. She received a 1991 Obie Award for her work in the Young Playwrights Festival’s production of “I’m Not Stupid” and a 1999 Helen Hayes Award for her role “The Old Settler” in Washington, D.C. Merkerson’s feature-film credits include roles in “Random Hearts” (with Harrison Ford), “Terminator II: Judgment Day,” “Jacob’s Ladder,” “Navy SEALS” and “Loose Cannons” (with Gene Hackman). Prior to “Law & Order,” Merkerson was a series regular on “Pee-Wee’s Playhouse” where she played Reba the Mail Lady. She also starred in “Mann & Machine” (produced by “Law & Order” producer Dick Wolf) and the Bill Cosby-produced comedy “Here & Now” with Malcolm Jamal Warner. Additionally, she made guest appearances on “The Cosby Show,” “Equal Justice,” and recently on NBC’s “Frasier” as the psychiatrist for Daphne Moon (Jane Leeves). Merkerson has co-starred in numerous television movies, including “A Mother’s Prayer” with Linda Hamilton, “A Place for Annie” with Sissy Spacek, “Breaking Free” with JoBeth Williams, and “An Unexpected Life” and “It’s a Girl Thing,” both with Stockard Channing. In 1998, she reprised her role as Lieutenant Van Buren in the NBC movie “Exiled” with Chris Noth. An outspoken advocate against smoking and for lung-cancer research and awareness, Merkerson was honored this year by the organization Cancercare in a ceremony at New York’s Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. She received the Regulus Award, which was presented to her by co-star Jesse L. Martin, for her work to broaden awareness and to save lives. She also spearheaded the creation of a quilt by the “Law & Order” cast and crew, which was auctioned to benefit the Campaign for Smoke-free Kids. Merkerson and her husband divide their time between New York City and Maryland. Her birthday is November 28.

11-02-2002, 02:38 PM	#3
cali Soccer Kicks Balls Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: right behind you Age: 42 Posts: 15,258	She really is good. I enjoy her on the show. __________________ "Rice is great when you're hungry and want 2,000 of something' -- Mitch Hedberg

11-02-2002, 08:33 PM	#5
fluff Why can't we just rewind? Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 41,933	Another fan here. She does a great job on this show. She plays a strong character very well. __________________ "That's Numberwang!"

11-04-2002, 01:59 PM	#6
LG. FORT Fogey Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: frozen tundra Posts: 13,834	She does a great job and took over Dann Florek's role seamlessly. I loved the episode they did years ago where she got robbed at an ATM and shot the perps with her kids waiting in her minivan. She got to get "out of the office" and actually have a full role that time. __________________ Signature line? We don't need no stinkin' signature line.

11-02-2002, 02:34 PM	#2
Modesty Princess Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Wonderland Posts: 2,777	Wonderful character & actress! I saw an interview with her not too long time ago, and she seems like a very nice person too!

11-02-2002, 03:18 PM	#4
*John* The race is back! Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: On the mat Age: 39 Posts: 40,434	I think it was a bold move for the original L&O, casting a strong black female "in charge". What a great job she's doing, too. I really like her, both on L&O and in the movies I've seen her in.