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Sharon Epatha Merkerson is a Actor American born on 28 november 1952 at Saginaw (USA)
Sharon Epatha Merkerson (/iˈpeɪθə/; born November 28, 1952), best known as S. Epatha Merkerson, is an American film, stage, and television actress. She has won a Golden Globe, an Emmy Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, an Obie Award and four NAACP Image Awards. She has also received two Tony Award nominations. She is best known for her role as NYPD Lieutenant Anita Van Buren from 1993 to 2010 on the long-running NBC police procedural drama series Law & Order. She appeared in 391 episodes of the series—more than any other cast member.
In 2012, Merkerson became the host of Find Our Missing, a reality-reenactment series on TV One which profiles missing people of color.
In 2015, she was cast as the Head of the Hospital on NBC's Chicago Med.
Merkerson is an outspoken advocate against smoking and for lung cancer research and awareness. When she guest-hosted on The View on March 2, 2007, she discussed her 23-year addiction to cigarettes, which ended in the early '90s after she woke up one morning unable to breathe. Until May 2007, she sat on the Board of Directors of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.
She teaches acting at City College of New York.
For her role as Van Buren on Law & Order, she wore a wig. Her real hair is made up in short locks. Merkerson decided to wear a wig for the role to look more "professional".
In December 2008, Merkerson was sued for $222,908.40 by the Gersh Agency, a talent agency which claimed that they had an oral agreement with Merkerson to represent her at a rate of 10% commission.
Source : Wikidata
Sharon Epatha Merkerson
In 2012, Merkerson became the host of Find Our Missing, a reality-reenactment series on TV One which profiles missing people of color.
In 2015, she was cast as the Head of the Hospital on NBC's Chicago Med.
Biography
Merkerson was formerly married to Toussaint L. Jones. She lives in the Washington Heights section of New York City. Her brother, Barrie Merkerson, currently works as an attorney for the city of Detroit.Merkerson is an outspoken advocate against smoking and for lung cancer research and awareness. When she guest-hosted on The View on March 2, 2007, she discussed her 23-year addiction to cigarettes, which ended in the early '90s after she woke up one morning unable to breathe. Until May 2007, she sat on the Board of Directors of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.
She teaches acting at City College of New York.
For her role as Van Buren on Law & Order, she wore a wig. Her real hair is made up in short locks. Merkerson decided to wear a wig for the role to look more "professional".
In December 2008, Merkerson was sued for $222,908.40 by the Gersh Agency, a talent agency which claimed that they had an oral agreement with Merkerson to represent her at a rate of 10% commission.
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Filmography of Sharon Epatha Merkerson (23 films)
Actress
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The Challenger (2015)
, 1h35Origin USA
Genres Drama, Action
Themes Sports films, Martial arts films, Boxing films
Actors Michael Clarke Duncan, Sharon Epatha Merkerson, Justin Hartley
Roles Jada
Rating55%
With the help of legendary boxing trainer, Duane Taylor (played by Michael Clarke Duncan), struggling Bronx auto mechanic Jaden Miller (Kent Moran), turns to boxing to save him and his mother S. Epatha Merkerson from living on the streets.
Peeples (2013)
, 1h35Origin USA
Genres Comedy
Actors Kerry Washington, Craig Robinson, David Alan Grier, Sharon Epatha Merkerson, Diahann Carroll, Tyler James Williams
Roles Daphne Peeples
Rating54%
Tyler Perry Presents Peeples centers around the Peeples, an affluent East Coast family celebrating their annual reunion for Moby Dick Day – a Peeples family tradition at Sag Harbor in the Hamptons. Their weekend is interrupted when Wade Walker (Robinson), the fiance of their daughter Grace (Washington) crashes to propose marriage after being goaded by his brother Chris. Upon arrival he loses his wallet while being chased by the family dog. While at the grocery store Wade notices Virgil (David Allen Grier), Grace's father and a judge having a conversation with an unidentified woman, who is later revealed to be the mayor of the town, as well as a conversation between Gloria (Hawk), Grace's Sister and her lover Meg;(Lewis-Davis) unknown to the family. As the time goes on, Wade begins to learn other things about Grace, such as her older ex-boyfriends, and the fact that she has breast implants. Wade also discovers that Grace's mother Daphne (S. Epatha Merkerson), was a professional singer during the 70's, as well as a recovering alcoholic.
Lincoln (2012)
, 2h30Directed by Steven Spielberg
Origin USA
Genres Drama, War, Biography, Historical
Themes Films about slavery, Politique, Films about racism, Political films, Children's films, White House in fiction
Actors Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field, David Strathairn, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, James Spader, Tim Blake Nelson
Roles Lydia Smith
Rating72%
In January 1865, President Abraham Lincoln expects the Civil War to end within a month. However, he is concerned that his 1863 Emancipation Proclamation may be discarded by the courts once the war has concluded and that the Thirteenth Amendment be defeated by the returning slave states. Lincoln feels it is imperative to pass the amendment by the end of the month, thus removing any possibility that slaves who have already been freed may be re-enslaved. The Radical Republicans fear the amendment will be defeated by some who merely wish to delay its passage; the support of the amendment by Republicans in the border states is not yet assured either, since they prioritize the issue of ending the war. Even if all of them are ultimately brought on board, the amendment will still require the support of several Democratic congressmen if it is to pass. With dozens of Democrats having just become lame ducks after losing their re-election campaigns in the fall of 1864, some of Lincoln's advisors believe that he should wait until the new Republican-heavy Congress is seated, presumably giving the amendment an easier road to passage. Lincoln, however, remains adamant about having the amendment in place and the issue of slavery settled before the war is concluded and the southern states readmitted into the Union.
Mother and Child (2009)
, 2h5Directed by Rodrigo García
Origin USA
Genres Drama, Romance
Themes Films about adoption, Films about children
Actors Naomi Watts, Annette Bening, Kerry Washington, Jimmy Smits, Samuel L. Jackson, David Morse
Roles Ada
Rating71%
When she was 14, Karen (Annette Bening) became pregnant and gave her daughter up for adoption. The decision to give up her child has always haunted her. Upon meeting laid-back Paco (Jimmy Smits), Karen permits her anxiety and mistrust to get the best of her. She gradually calms her anxiety through the relationship with Paco.
The Six Wives of Henry Lefay (2009)
, 1h35Origin USA
Genres Comedy
Actors Tim Allen, Elisha Cuthbert, Sharon Epatha Merkerson, Andie MacDowell, Jenna Elfman, Paz Vega
Roles Effa
Rating51%
Henry Lefay, qui s'était marié à de nombreuses reprises, meurt dans un accident, laissant ainsi à sa fille, Barbara, le soin d'organiser ses funérailles. N'ayant pas rédigé de testament, Barbara devra faire face aux affrontements et aux disputes des six veuves d'Henry Lefay.
Slipstream (2007)
, 1h36Directed by Anthony Hopkins
Origin USA
Genres Drama, Science fiction, Fantastic, Comedy, Fantasy
Themes Films about films, Mise en scène d'un scénariste
Actors Anthony Hopkins, Christian Slater, John Turturro, Camryn Manheim, Jeffrey Tambor, Sharon Epatha Merkerson
Roles Bonnie
Rating48%
Felix Bonhoeffer, un scénariste, vit entre deux mondes : le monde réel et celui qu'il a développé dans son esprit au fil du temps. Il n'a pas conscience qu'il vit au bord d'une ligne depuis des années et qu'il est sur le point de la franchir. Il se trouve donc perplexe lorsque, engagé pour remanier l'histoire d'un meurtre situé dans un café désert, des personnages du film qu'il est en train d'écrire apparaissent dans la vie réelle et vice-versa. Et alors qu'il essaye tant bien que mal de vivre sereinement entre ces deux mondes, des références à des chansons et à des films de science fiction des années 1950 se mêlent soudain à son quotidien, sélectionnées de manière aléatoire par sa mémoire...
Girl, Positive (2007)
, 1h28Directed by Peter Werner
Origin USA
Genres Drama
Themes Medical-themed films, HIV/AIDS in film
Actors Andrea Bowen, Jennie Garth, Erik von Detten, Sharon Epatha Merkerson, Rhoda Griffis, Laura Slade Wiggins
Roles Ariel Winters
Rating64%
Rachel (Bowen), a high school girl, seems to have the life that most people envy: she has a steady boyfriend, great friends, and a place on the school's soccer team. Preparing for college and separating from her boyfriend are the main worries of this teen, as she lives a carefree life like most girls her age. However, Rachel's world falls apart the day she discovers that Jason (Detten), the guy whom she lost her virginity to at a party and died in a car accident a few months ago, was HIV positive and a heavy IV drug user.
Black Snake Moan (2006)
, 1h56Directed by Craig Brewer
Origin USA
Genres Drama, Comedy-drama, Musical
Themes Films about families, Films about music and musicians, Le blues, Musical films
Actors Samuel L. Jackson, Christina Ricci, Justin Timberlake, Sharon Epatha Merkerson, John Cothran, Jr., David Banner
Roles Angela
Rating68%
The film centers on two main characters: Lazarus Redd (Samuel L. Jackson), a deeply religious farmer and former blues guitarist, and Rae Doole (Christina Ricci), a young sex addict. Lazarus' wife and his brother were having an affair, which has left him bitter and angry. Rae's boyfriend Ronnie Morgan (Justin Timberlake) leaves for deployment with the 196th Field Artillery Brigade, Tennessee National Guard, and in his absence, she indulges in bouts of promiscuity and drug use. During one of Rae's binges, Ronnie's friend Gill Morton (Michael Raymond-James) tries to take advantage of her. She laughs at his advances, comparing him unfavorably with another man, and he severely beats her. Believing she's dead, Gill dumps Rae and leaves her for dead in only a shirt and panties by the side of the road and drives away.
Jersey Girl (2004)
, 1h42Directed by Kevin Smith
Origin USA
Genres Drama, Comedy, Comedy-drama, Romantic comedy, Romance
Themes Pregnancy films, Films about sexuality
Actors Ben Affleck, Liv Tyler, Raquel Castro, George Carlin, Jason Biggs, Jennifer Schwalbach Smith
Roles Doctor #1
Rating61%
Oliver "Ollie" Trinké (Ben Affleck) is a powerful media publicist in New York City whose wife, Gertrude (Jennifer Lopez), dies during childbirth in 1994. To avoid his grief, he buries himself in his work and ignores his new daughter, Gertie, while his father, Bart (George Carlin), takes a month off from work to care for her, but returns so that his son is forced to live up to his responsibility as a parent. Under the stress of a botched diaper change and a baby who will not stop crying, Ollie trashes his client Will Smith for his soon-to-be released film Independence Day in front of assembled reporters. The outburst costs him his job, so he moves in with his father in New Jersey. He eventually apologizes for ignoring his daughter, and attributes his public outburst to his grief.
Radio (2003)
, 1h49Directed by Michael Tollin
Origin USA
Genres Drama, Biography, Comedy-drama
Themes Sports films, American football films, Films about disabilities
Actors Cuba Gooding Jr., Ed Harris, Sharon Epatha Merkerson, Brent Sexton, Riley Smith, Sarah Drew
Roles Maggie
Rating69%
James Robert "Radio" Kennedy, a 18-year-old man with mental disabilities, pushes a shopping cart along the streets daily. He is attracted to a high school football team and often passes by their practices. One day, a football flies outside the field and lands near Radio. Radio takes the ball, deaf to the demands to return it by a student athlete on the other side of the fence. Sometime later, the team members tie up Radio and lock him inside the gear shed. The team's coach, Harold Jones, hears the team members throw balls at the shed and goes to comfort Radio. Upon meeting Radio on the streets another day, Coach Jones asks Radio to visit and help at training. Coach Jones returns Radio to his home, where he meets Radio's mother. It is revealed that Radio has a brother named Walter, who does not live with them, and that their father died a few years prior.
A Girl Thing (2001)
, 3h57Directed by Lee Rose
Origin USA
Genres Comedy-drama, Romantic comedy
Themes Films about sexuality, LGBT-related films, LGBT-related film, Lesbian-related films
Actors Kate Capshaw, Rebecca De Mornay, Stockard Channing, Mia Farrow, Irma P. Hall, Linda Hamilton
Roles Lani
Rating60%
Random Hearts (1999)
, 2h13Directed by Sydney Pollack
Origin USA
Genres Drama, Thriller, Crime, Romance
Actors Harrison Ford, Kristin Scott Thomas, Charles Dutton, Bonnie Hunt, Dennis Haysbert, Sydney Pollack
Roles Nea
Rating54%
The film adaptation loosely follows the story of the novel, but many of the characters have been changed. Edward Davis is now Sergeant William 'Dutch' Van Den Broeck, a Washington, D.C. police officer. Vivien Simpson is now Kay Chandler, a wealthy Republican Congresswoman with a teenage daughter. They meet when their spouses, Peyton and Cullen, are killed in a plane crash and realize that their partners were having an affair. The story evolves around the relationship between the two surviving spouses, as the tragedy envelopes their lives, and affects his career as a police officer and her campaign for re-election to Congress.
An Unexpected Life (1998)
, 1h50Directed by David Hugh Jones
Origin USA
Genres Drama
Actors Stockard Channing, Stephen Collins, Christine Ebersole, Elaine Stritch, Jenny O'Hara, Sharon Epatha Merkerson
Roles Beverly Hawkins
Rating61%
Exiled (1998)
, 2hDirected by Jean de Segonzac
Origin USA
Genres Drama, Crime
Actors Chris Noth, Dabney Coleman, Dana Eskelson, John Fiore, Dann Florek, Paul Guilfoyle
Roles Lieutenant Anita Van Buren
Rating63%
The movie begins three years after Detective Mike Logan's final appearance on Law & Order in 1995. At the end of the episode "Pride", Logan punches a corrupt, homophobic politician in the face on the courthouse steps after the man's acquittal on a murder charge, in front of several reporters. Although he does not lose his job, Logan is "administratively re-assigned" to the Domestic Disputes Department on Staten Island. While he struggles to cope with feelings of resentment and isolation, fate offers him a chance at redemption when a forgotten murder case unexpectedly drifts Logan's way.
Exiled (1998)
, 1h24Directed by Jean de Segonzac
Origin USA
Genres Drama, Crime
Actors Chris Noth, Ice-T, Benjamin Bratt, Dabney Coleman, Jerry Orbach, Dana Eskelson
Roles Lieutenant Anita Van Buren
Rating63%
Mike Logan, un inspecteur de la police de New York, vient de passer trois ans à Staten Island, après avoir enquêté sur un politicien corrompu. La découverte du cadavre d'une prostituée dans les environs du port lui fait penser que s'il obtient le droit de mener à bien cette investigation, il pourra rejoindre son commissariat d'origine à Manhattan. Son ancien chef lui permet d'enquêter, uniquement s'il accepte d'être secondé par Frankie Silvera. Les deux policiers ne tardent pas à découvrir divers indices qui les mènent à un grand ponte de la mafia. Tout se complique lorsqu'ils découvrent qu'un policier véreux, du commissariat de Logan, est également impliqué dans l'affaire.