Sharon Epatha Merkerson (the middle name is pronounced ee-pay-thuh), known as S. Epatha Merkerson, is an American actress. She was born on November 28, 1952. She is best known as Lieutenant Anita Van Buren in the "Law & Order" television series. She was on "Law & Order" from 1993 until it stopped airing new episodes in 2010, and she was in 391 episodes. This was more than any other actor on the show.