S. Epatha Merkerson is a film, stage, and television actress. She is best known for her role as NYPD Lieutenant Anita Van Buren from 1993 to 2010 on the loS. Epatha Merkerson is a film, stage, and television actress. She is best known for her role as NYPD Lieutenant Anita Van Buren from 1993 to 2010 on the long-running NBC police procedural drama series Law &amp; Order.   Check out these other surprising facts about actress S. Epatha Merkerson:     1. Born Sharon..  The post 12 Surprising Facts…