S Merkerson

Cast opposite Samuel L. Jackson in "Black Snake Moan"

Returned to the stage as the aging, disillusioned Lola of William Inge's "Come Back, Little Sheba"; earned a Tony award nomination for Best Actress in a Play

Won an Emmy for her role as Nanny, the owner of a boarding house in Lackawanna, New York in the HBO original movie "Lackawanna Blues"; also earned an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Actress

First primetime TV program as series regular: joined cast of NBC's police and courtroom drama, "Law & Order" as Lt. Anita Van Buren

First TV-movie, "It's Nothing Personal"

Returned to the Off-Broadway stage in "I'm Not Stupid"

Acted the leading role of Berniece in out-of-town tryouts, on tour and on Broadway in director Lloyd Richards's staging of August Wilson's Pulitzer Prize-winning drama, "The Piano Lesson"; nominated for a Tony Award

Made feature film debut in a small role in "Loose Cannons"

Acted Off-Off-Broadway at the Hudson Guild Theater in the play, "Moms"

Replaced Lonette McKee in the role of Billie Holliday in the Off-Broadway biographical musical drama, "Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill"

Cast in first TV role, as Reba, "the mail lady" on the children's comedy and variety series, "Pee-wee's Playhouse"

Appeared at the famed Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam (Connecticut) to play a prominent role in a staging of the musical, "The Dream Team"

Had featured role in the national tour of "For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow is Enuf..."

Moved to NYC to pursue acting career

Raised in Detroit, Michigan

Reprised the role of Reba from "Pee-wee's Playhouse" on several primetime CBS specials

Worked in children's theater in Albany, New York after graduating from college