As USA Today reported in 2014, Merkerson wasn't the only big star to get their start on the children's show; Laurence Fishburne was cast as Cowboy Curtis. "New York is a great place to walk. Van Buren had a "hand-picked" replacement for Fontana who was much more experienced than Cassady. "Find a way to get healthy because it's a disease you can live with," she says. The character in Law and Order, Lt. Anita Van Buren, was diagnosed with cancer in the last season of the show. What is Epatha Merkerson doing now? S. Epatha Merkerson. Thats what happens when you focus on the writing and the acting for, say, 20 years. crime drama. Merkerson's film is about the last remaining benevolent society in Alabama. she thought. her role in NBC's "Law & Order" as Lieutenant Anita Van Buren, Merkerson's role the longest-running character in the series. Sharon Epatha Merkerson (the S once stood for Sharon and now legally stands for nothing) is taking Van Buren and her life force and exiting the show. She went through chemotherapy, lost her hair and used a wig. The actresssaid she knew one person there, spending two months sleeping on her friend's floor while she auditioned for stage work, continuing to land roles for nearly a decade. During a murder case, Van Buren learns that the case that led to her promotion to lieutenant was tainted by a dishonest fingerprint examiner's report. In 1978, Merkerson moved to New York. By using our Services, you agree to our use of cookies. Chief of Detectives Laird : Save it. Although most of us know S. Epatha Merkerson for her work on "Law & Order" or "Chicago Med," she began her acting career on stage, and she loved working in theater. With this specialist, she discussed what she ate and when, her exercise habits, and what type of exercise she did. Two of the star's best friends, Yvette Hawkins and Billie Neal, died of lung cancer. The hope of the show creators is to jog witnesses' memories, so they can offer information to help authorities find these missing persons. Merkerson recalls looking at the camera and saying, "That didn't even hurt." "One of them passed away in 1995; the other in '97. The 'Chicago' franchise is created by Dick Wolf, also behind the prolific 'Law and Order' franchise, which has included six police/courtroom dramas and four international spin-off series. What kind of awards did s.epatha Merkerson win? This was an emotional revelation. A video clip from the finale can be found here. "It was a combination of things," she said, adding: "To me it felt like good timing. "Being a Type 2 diabetic is not a death sentence. In season 17, she is forced to accept Nina Cassady as the replacement for Det. It's exciting for me to be able to learn new things. Merkerson had her first Tony nomination for her role in "The Piano Lesson." We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Van Buren joins the cast in the 1993 episode "Sweeps", succeeding Capt. television. While eating on set, Merkerson says it's tough to make good choices, but she works hard at it. Anita Van Buren : Chief, I can explain. "So when TV One called and asked me to host, I thought to myself, 'Wow, some things happen for a reason.' Merkerson thought he wanted a photograph or autograph. The acting on Law & Order in recent seasons has been at a level far above that on Lost and 24, shows often singled out for their performances. Arts Degree from Wayne State University. You've seen it in your family. Merkerson has been nominated for a Tony Award twice, once in 1990 for "The Piano Lesson" and again in 2008 for "Come Back, Little Sheba." What Shows Have Been Renewed or Canceled? Merkerson, whose character Lt. Anita Van Buren was diagnosed with cancer in the final season of the show, is seeking as much as $9 million in damages, along with a court order to complete. Merkerson said much of her college acting experience was in studio, or through the African American Studies department, rather than in university productions. Sharon Epatha Merkerson November 28, 1952 Saginaw, Michigan, U.S. " They got divorced in 2006. She ate less because of the chemo treatments. My uncle had amputations. It was 16 years of employment actors rarely have that experience. It is an awful, awful way to die." NBC's police procedural 'Law and Order' has seen a great cast turnover with several actors departing the show and returning in special appearances throughout the years. "I just got the results of my last bloodwork, and my A1C was 6%. But my mother said it was an old girlfriend of his. (In some kind of nod to Lost, it took place at John Locke High School.). Merkerson said, "It was. Feeling ignored by the co-op board and manager, Midboro Management, Merkerson said she eventually opted to sell the moldy, dilapidated apartment, but was unable to find any buyers. Full range WITHIN story & context while her time on the series still stayed in its bread & butter lane of plot focused stories week to week. Her work has appeared on The Mary Sue, Digital Spy, and The Guardian. In 1978, she moved to New York Epatha Merkerson in Come Back, Little Sheba . But not everyone believes her. Van Buren appeared in 390 episodes of Law & Order. she recalls saying. In season 20, Van Buren sees an OB/GYN and is diagnosed with Stage II cervical cancer, caused by the sexually-transmitted human papillomavirus (HPV)which she contracted from Donald, who had been cheating on her. S. Epatha Merkerson branched out of acting to produce and direct the 2012 documentary "The Contradictions of Fair Hope" narrated by Whoopi Goldberg. [7] They have two sons, Stefan, who is the elder,[8] and Ric, who was diagnosed with scoliosis at the age of six. On the same occasion it is revealed that she and Frank are engaged.[18]. Male or female. "People think that diabetes is something you can prevent. She'd quit smoking in 1994, but hadn't changed her eating habits or exercise, and she had gained weight. Merkerson played Lieutenant Anita Van Buren on 17 seasons of NBC's beloved procedural until she mysteriously vanished. A veteran of 'Law and Order', Merkerson had appeared in 17 out of 21 seasons total, featuring in 390 episodes of the original show and two episodes in the franchise, namely in spin-offs 'Law and Order: Criminal Intent' and 'Law and Order: Trial By Jury'. Hot yoga and cycling didn't work for her. For almost the entire duration of the series, Van Buren carries a Smith & Wesson Model 36 revolver as her duty weapon. But Merkerson learned more about these ancestors. After graduating from Cooley High School in 1970, S. Epatha Merkerson first went to Eastern Michigan University, where she enrolled as a dance major. She had a really long conversation with herself. How old is Greta Van Susteren from Fox News? Did the captain on law and order really have cancer? If her ancestors could see her now, they would be so proud of all her accomplishments and the woman she has become. That's how Anita finds out that her husband has been cheating on her, resulting in her divorcing him and starting to date Frank ('Ghostbusters' star Hernie Hudson). We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. What's the toughest for her is keeping her life in balance. In 2012, S. Epatha Merkerson signed on to host two seasons of TV One's docu-drama series "Find Our Missing." In 1978, she moved to New York When walking the streets of New York she is frequently approached by members of the NYPD, who jokingly ask how they can be transferred to her precinct. He spent time at Tulsa VA Hospital in Oklahoma and his wife later claimed that he would have died if it had not been for the excellent care that he received from the medical staff. "Its time to move on. ", "He did and showed it to me," recalls Merkerson. When she returned, though, the doctor said, "I want to take your blood sugar again. Epatha Merkerson's Lt. Van Buren was diagnosed with cancer earlier in the season, and since Merkerson had said she was leaving the show after 17 years, there had been considerable speculation about what would happen with Van Buren. very happy with how they were portrayed. She says he kept telling her what she needed to do to take care of herself, but she wasn't doing it. "New York is a great place to walk. She appeared in 391 episodes of the seriesmore than any other cast member. My uncle had amputations," she says. Where was Lance Armstrong born and where was he raised? Her contractual obligations to the series may be among the reasons why Merkerson didn't return to the 'Law and Order' revival as Anita Van Buren, though this was never confirmed. But if it's part of your DNA, you have to deal with that. While some cast members from previous seasons were in talks to reprise their roles in the revival Anthony Anderson had signed a one-year deal to come back as Detective Kevin Bernard Merkerson didn't ultimately return. The actress explained that it seemed a seamless way to say goodbye to her character as her contract was nearing its end. In the episode, Merkerson says, "It boggles the mind these are men of the cloth." In 2021, it was announced that 'Law and Order' would be returning after 12 years. Her screen acting career began in 1986 when she was cast as Doctor Jamison in Spike Lee's comedy "She's Gotta Have It." The actress who plays the role, S Epatha Merkerson, does not have cancer.. By July 2010 the pricetag had plummeted to $850,000, and was taken off the market four months later. In season 20, Van Buren sees an OB/GYN and is diagnosed with Stage II cervical cancer, caused by the sexually-transmitted human papillomavirus (HPV)which she contracted from Donald, who had been cheating on her. "And I just looked at the things that Ive been doing, and the show takes a lot of commitment. As The Philadelphia Tribune reported, Merkerson describes her film as "a fascinating albeit disturbing story of what happens when a community steeped in mutual care and concern loses its way and begins to put the 'almighty dollar' ahead of benevolence. I'm producing and directing a documentary about African-American benevolent societies. NOTE: She won the. She replaced Captain Donald Cragen as head of the precinct in 1993. singing Nessun Dorma boomed on the soundtrack. Award-winning actress, S. Epatha Merkerson, returns to television on a new exciting hospital drama. crime drama, Stage: Appeared in "The Old Settler" at Washington DC's Studio Theatre. As reported in USA Today, Merkerson checks her blood sugar twice a day and tracks how she's doing with regular doctor visits. Many young women who go missing are victims of human trafficking. I believe she's in menopause. As reported on HealthyWomen, Merkerson acknowledged diabetes runs in her family, "My father died from complications of diabetes. Growing up, her family always called her Epatha, never calling her by her first name, Sharon. [5] Her detectives have affectionately addressed her by two shortened versions of her rank: "L.T." did reflect a libertarian tendency to tweak big institutions that had grown stronger this season neither New YorkCitys department of education nor the teachers union could have been The series was spectacularly received, winning multiple awards, including Daytime Emmys, gaining a following with children and adults alike. Addresses: Agent David Nesmith, PMK/HBH Public Relations, 650 5th Avenue, 33rd Fl., New York, NY 10019. Despite his illness, she never believed that he would die from it. Now Merkerson is returning to television to play hospital administrator Sharon Goodwin in the new NBC drama Chicago Med. Did Anita Van Buren really have cancer? In an interview with the Television Academy, Merkerson said this job was "probably the worst job I've ever had," but later shared that the highlight of this experience had been traveling to Rome and Israel with the theater troupe to perform. Sharon Epatha Merkerson Sharon Epatha Merkerson (/ipe/; born November 28, 1952) is an American film, stage, and television actress. The award was presented by her. Epatha and her family witnessed what we now call "white flight" firsthand, as her neighbors put their homes up for sale, moving out of Detroit to the suburbs where there was less ethnic diversity. During the pandemic, Merkerson has kept up with her regimen. Elaborate back stories dont make characters any less two-dimensional. But behind the scenes, as Australian . She recalled visiting with her family once, and she talked about seeing the lights in Times Square, thinking someday she was going to move to New York too. They would often joke that they would portray their characters even in old age. For the descendants of enslaved people, there is so much mystery about their family roots because of the horrors of slavery their ancestors endured. (March 20, 1994 - February 14, 2006) (divorced), View agent, publicist, legal and company contact details on IMDbPro. But, she also mentionsmany advantages to living in the city, like having opportunities to see dance performances and plays, sparking an early interest in the arts and entertainment in Epatha. On Monday night she was overheard applying for a personal loan to cover her treatment. Merkerson is also the recipient of 4 honorary doctorate degrees. Midboro did not return a call seeking comment. He truly cares about my health." [2] Her lawsuit becomes such an issue of contention within the department that the Chief of Detectives tells her she will have to resign to get her squad the resources it needs to apprehend a child rapist. However they decide to take her out, itll be worthy of the character, she told EW. Through 20 seasons, the message of Law & Order was always about living to fight another day. In an interview with the Television Academy,Merkerson talked about her youth growing up in Detroit, the youngest of five siblings, raised by her mother after her parent's divorce. They're not just faceless people.". And that alone, hormonally, can send a woman into a tailspin. Two of her closest friends died from the disease. She has won numerous Image Awards from the NAACP and multiple Screen Actors Guild awards over the years for her role in "Law & Order." Her first honorary doctorate came from her alma mater, Wayne State University, in 2009. By episode count, she is the longest-running character on the first show. City to apply her craft on stage. In Season 20, Van Buren sees an OB/GYN and is diagnosed with Stage II cervical cancer, caused by the sexually-transmitted human papillomavirus (HPV)which she contracted from Donald, who had been cheating on her. And I just felt like I wanted to do some other things," she said. Lieutenant Anita Van Buren was the commanding officer of the 27th Precinct for almost 20 years. [5] A graduate of John Jay College, Van Buren was married to Donald (Charles Dumas), who owns a hardware store. Van Buren kills an intellectually disabled, unarmed teenager at an ATM. Merkerson, who got her start on TV playing Reba the Mail Lady on Pee-wee's Playhouse and holds a record for playing one of the longest-running Black characters on prime time TV as Lt. Van Buren, has an Emmy, a Golden Globe, a Screen Actors Guild Award, four NAACP Image Awards, two Obie Awards and two Tony Award nominations. She has received numerous high-profile accolades for her work, including an Emmy Award, a Golden Globe Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, four NAACP Image Awards, two Obie Awards and two Tony Award nominations. It took a heartfelt conversation with her specialist to make her change her ways. She had not been married to him for at least 5 years. The award was presented by her Law & Order (1990) co-star, Jesse L. Martin. [17] As the season goes on, her treatment is apparently not progressing well and she is becoming increasingly worried about her chances of survival. Merkerson explained how she started using just her first initial because she got the idea from G. Gordon Liddy. The following year, Merkerson also won a Screen Actors Guild Award and a Golden Globe for her performance as Nanny in the HBO film, as well as a Black Reel award for Best Actress. Sharon Epatha Merkerson acting ensembles on television. In her place, 'Ghost Whisperer' star Camryn Manheim was cast to play Lieutenant Kate Dixon, Anita's successor. During an interview with the Television Academy, the celeb discussed the difficulty she had being cast during her years as a theater major because casting was not colorblind in universities during the '70s. Although most of us only know Merkerson as a television actress, she has a wealth of acting experience on both the big and small screens and the stage. Born Sharon Epatha Merkerson, November 28, 1952, in Saginaw, MI; daughter of Ann (a postal worker); married Toussaint L. Jones Jr. (a social worker), March, 1994 (divorced). In 2005, Merkerson won an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress for her role as Rachel Nanny Crosby for HBO's gem "Lackawanna Blues." How tall is s.epatha Merkerson height and weight? Merkerson, however, doesn't appear in the main series' latest season, following a tragic storyline for her character Anita back when the show aired its 20th season in 2010. This series used reenactments, archival and police evidence to raise awareness of Black missing persons whose stories haven't been given mainstream media coverage. Her endocrinologist prescribed metformin as well as a statin. Although best known since 1993 as the Form Wikipedia. The board and building manager "left plaintiff in jeopardy of her life as the gases could have backed up, exploded or otherwise caused serious harm," the lawsuit filed in Manhattan Supreme Court reads. [10][1] Further revelations are that she enjoys the poet Langston Hughes, and that she is left-handed. What does the S stand for in S. Epatha Merkersons name? Her diabetes was getting worse. Rubber Room was just another demonstration that Law & Order, which had experienced a creative resurgence over the last few seasons, went out boasting one of the best But then came the shows final minutes, and the phone call from the doctor. Jump to navigation Jump to search. Finally, her endocrinologist said, "I've been telling you for a couple of years now you have to start paying attention, Epatha. Van Buren was born at some point after 1952. Don Cragen (Dann Florek) as commander of the 27th Precinct Detective Squad after Cragen transfers to the Anti-Corruption Task Force. According to the Chicago Tribune, GLAAD criticized the last-minute reveal, saying it was "really disappointing to have one of the leads come out five seconds before she exits the show." Talking to Today at the time, Rhm explained that she felt finished with the role. However, in the final episode of the season (and ultimately the series), "Rubber Room", her health appears to have improved: she receives a call from her doctor, looks back at her colleagues and whispers "Thank youThank you" to herself. Although best known since 1993 as the smart and shrewd Lieutenant Anita Van Buren on the long-running TV crime drama Law & Order (1990), she has a long list of Broadway and off-Broadway credits and honors that include Drama Desk Award and Tony Award nominations for Best Actress for her performance in the August Wilson play The Piano Lesson I was actually there when Yvette took her last breath We found out Billie had cancer in June, and she was dead by December. But she wasn't always an award-winning actress living in a city that never sleeps. "He was at the end of his rope. Merkerson went from weighing 174 pounds to 135. The expert, a friend of Van Buren's, had been falsifying various other reports and is tried for her actions, saying that she was just doing what Van Buren wanted. Did she really have cancer or was it in the script for Law and Order? This is someone who has gotten to know me. The devastating effects of lung cancer are never too far from S. Epatha Merkersons heart and mind. As reported by USA Today, Merkerson said, "As an African American, I knew Type 2 diabetes was a significant health concern among our community, but I was unaware of the signs and symptoms, let alone that I might be displaying them.". She began eating better and tried different types of exercise to see what she'd like best. Sharon Epatha Merkerson is an American stage, TV and film actress. Merkerson joined the cast of 'Law and Order' in its fourth season, aired in 1993. Now Merkerson is returning to television to play hospital administrator Sharon Goodwin in the new NBC drama Chicago Med. Most certainly, you can eat better, you can exercise, and you can do things to try to prevent it. The actress has also worked with CancerCare and the American Lung Association, advocating for people to quit smoking. Did Anita Van Buren really have cancer? you!" However, 'Law and Order' got the ax after its 20th season, meaning that the impact of Anita's exit storyline was somewhat lessened by the cancellation.