S. Epatha Merkerson (born Sharon Epatha Merkerson; November 28, 1952) is an American Golden Globe-, Screen Actors Guild-, NAACP Image Award- and Emmy Award-winning actress. She has also received two Tony Award nominations. She is known for her roles as Reba the Mail Lady on Pee Wee's Playhouse in the 1980s, and as the no-nonsense supervisor, Lt. Anita Van Buren (1993–present), on the long-running television crime drama Law & Order. She has appeared on the show longer than any other cast member and on May 14, 2008, she appeared in her 345th episode of Law & Order, surpassing Michele Lee's record of 344 episodes for an actress on a single series (for Knots Landing).

Early life

Merkerson, the youngest of five children, was born in Detroit, Michigan, the daughter of Ann Merkerson, who at the time was the only female in the vehicles operation unit at the Detroit Post Office. Her father worked in a factory.S. Epatha Merkerson Biography (1952-)Stated in interview on Inside the Actors StudioS. Epatha Merkerson Biography - Biography.com Merkerson's parents separated in 1957.