S. Epatha Merkerson has won critical acclaim for her work in film, television and on stage. Born and raised in Detroit, she earned a B.F.A. at Wayne State University.

In 1978 she moved to New York to pursue an acting career. She has starred in numerous Broadway and off-Broadway productions, including "The Piano Lesson," for which she received nominations in 1990 for a Tony Award (as Best Actress) and a Drama Desk Award. She also was nominated for a 1992 Obie Award for her work in "I’m Not Stupid." Merkerson recently received her second Helen Hayes Award for her starring role in a production of "The Old Settler" at the Studio Theater in Washington, D.C.

Merkerson’s feature film credits include "Terminator II," "Jacob’s Ladder," "Navy SEALS" and "Loose Cannons." Her first television role was that of Reba, the mail lady, on "Pee Wee’s Playhouse."

Her TV credits also include guest roles on "Equal Justice," "Elysian Fields," "Moe’s World" and NBC’s "The Cosby Show." She starred as Captain Claghorn on the series "Mann & Machine" and portrayed Ms. St. Marth on the NBC series "Here & Now." Merkerson co-starred in the television movies "A Mother’s Prayer" with Linda Hamilton, "Breaking Free" with Jobeth Williams and "An Unexpected Life" with Stockard Channing and RuPaul. Last November she reprised her role as Lieutenant Anita Van Buren in the NBC world premiere movie "Exiled," starring Chris Noth and various "Law & Order" cast members of the past and present.