Law and Order
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S. Epatha Merkerson
Van Buren Submission
...as Anita Van Buren
Characters
Anita Van Buren
Denise Winters
Date of birth
November 28, 1952
Place of birth
Saginaw, Michigan
Denise Winters
...as Denise Winters
IMDb profile

Sharon Epatha Merkerson is an actress known for her portrayal of Lieutenant Anita Van Buren in Law & Order. Her character also appeared in the spin-off series Law & Order: Criminal Intent Season 1 episode "Badge", and in the Law & Order: Trial by Jury episode "Skeleton". Van Buren also appeared in the franchise's only movie, Exiled: A Law & Order Movie. Merkerson also gave voice to her character in the games Dead on the Money and Double or Nothing.

Merkerson later moved to Dick Wolf's Chicago franchise, where she currently portrays Sharon Goodwin on Chicago Med. The franchise has crossed over several times with Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.

Merkerson has appeared on the show longer than any other cast member. She was the first actor to appear in three hundred episodes.

She previously played Denise Winters in the Law & Order Season 1 episode "Mushrooms".

Merkerson also appeared in the film Terminator 2: Judgement Day (with Joe Morton and Robert Patrick).


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