Merkerson is an outspoken advocate against smoking and for lung cancer research and awareness. She also played Sharon in "The Roommate" in 2017. For the descendants of enslaved people, there is so much mystery about their family roots because of the horrors of slavery their ancestors endured. "I love the work, but the work has been enhanced by the relationships that I've made with the people here. This was an emotional revelation. No, the Emmy Award winner is just fine in real life. WebIf Sharon Goodwin s ( S. Epatha Merkerson) reaction to the news of Jacks come-up is any indication of whats to come, however, its more than likely the addition of Grace wont be the only change ahead for the hospital. Webdid epatha merkerson have cancer in real lifehow to get cozi tv. Everyone on set knows. The actress who is best known for her long-running role on "Law &Order"can currently be seen portraying head hospital honcho Sharon Goodwin in NBC's "One Chicago"franchise. ? Ihr Schreiner & Schlosser in Steinperf und Dillenburg May 30, 2022 Posted by: Category: Uncategorized; Needless to say, the place is simmering with frustration and resentment, which is also what the cops and DA's office felt last night when the teachers' union refused to help provide any leads or information that might pinpoint the suspected poster. Starring together on a hit TV show is no guarantee that you'll be friends in real life, and it's just as true for "Chicago Med" as any other. We love spending time together, answered Barrett. "I was diagnosed about 13 years ago," Merkerson tells TVGuide.com. ", Shameless: S. Epatha Merkerson on the Sweet Truth About Diabetes, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis, What You Need to Know About Diabetes - HealthyWomen . With the type of show that "Law & Order" was, that just wasn't going to happen. Sa vje sht S Epatha Murchison? Merkerson, who got her start on TV playing Reba the Mail Lady on Pee-wee's Playhouse and holds a record for playing one of the longest-running Black characters on prime time TV as Lt. Van Buren, has an Emmy, a Golden Globe, a Screen Actors Guild Award, four NAACP Image Awards, two Obie Awards and two Tony Award nominations. She's starred in an extensive list of both Broadway and off-Broadway productions. If you have any questions, you can email OnLine@Ingrams.com, or call 816.268.6402. For example, her work schedule can often vary: She may have a 5 a.m. call one day for work and a 4:30 p.m. call the next. WebCan you buy bats to eat mosquitoes? Merkerson later transferred to Wayne State University, where she graduated with a BFA in 1976. Although most of us know S. Epatha Merkerson for her work on "Law & Order" or "Chicago Med," she began her acting career on stage, and she loved working in theater. Finally, one day -- Saturday, Feb. 4, 1996, to be exact -- she quit for good. S. Epatha Merkerson; Chicago Med (TV Series) Friendship; David Duchovny; George Takei In 2006, Merkerson told Real Health Magazinethatshe was once a three-pack-a-day smoker who had tried to quit for years, "I woke up that morning, and it felt like an elephant was sitting on my chest. The multi-award-winning actress, best known for Law & Order, opens up, Seventeen years ago, when actress S. Epatha Merkerson was 50 years old, she attended a health fair in Washington, D.C., for NBC. Hope he enjoyed it.. far ndodhi me bashkshortin e Van Buren pr ligjin dhe rendin? Merkerson recalls looking at the camera and saying, "That didn't even hurt." In 1991, Merkerson played Mrs. Denise Winters, a maid in the episode titled "Mushrooms." The bulk of Merkerson's best-known works are on TV shows, but her film credits are just as impressive. She earned herself a Tony Award nomination back in 1990 for her portrayal of Berniece in the Pulitzer Prize-winning "The Piano Lesson"by August Wilson on Broadway. Pse Anita Van Buren la ligjin dhe rendin? Justice was as unattainable after season 20, in other words, as it was back in season one, and the imperfection of everyone got a notable burst of punctuation from Sam Waterston?a>? My uncle had amputations. But four years later he struck gold, succeeding Paul Sorvino at Manhattans 27th Precinct as Law & Order entered its third season. Most fans of the series don't know this, but a couple of years before we met the no-nonsense Lt. Van Buren on "Law & Order," S. Epatha Merkerson auditioned for a one episode part and got the role. Merkerson arguably needs less of an introduction. "I'm an actor, so what I do is run my mouth," Merkerson says. Intent called, 'Badge', which aired April 28, 2002; and an episode During an interview with the Television Academy, the celeb discussed the difficulty she had being cast during her years as a theater major because casting was not colorblind in universities during the '70s. WebIn 2002, she received the Regulus Award from the Cancer Care organization for her dedication to lung-cancer awareness and education. Verlisst den Dr Choi Chicago Med? The actress who plays the role, S Epatha Merkerson, does not have cancer. She chucked her cigarettes in the trash and never looked back. Fewer Diabetes Patients Are Picking up Their Insulin Prescriptions Another Way the Pandemic Has Delayed Health Care for Many, Clinically Speaking: Questions to Ask Your Healthcare Provider About Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease, The Connection Between Diabetes, Cardiovascular Disease and Women's Health. In this interview, Merkerson credits her part of Berniece in the Broadway show "The Piano Lesson" for getting her role in "Law & Order." Weve Actually Seen Sean Archer Actor Luigi Sottile In The One Chicago Universe Before, Kevin Costners BTS Filming Drama Allegedly Upset Some Co-Stars, 3 One Chicago characters who annoy fans in 2023, Chicago PD star on Burgess & Ruzek romance: She loves him, 3 One Chicago romances we want to see happen in 2023, Chicago PD to delay new episode despite cliffhanger ending, 3 Chicago PD characters who left the show unexpectedly. Open Button. WebThe devastating effects of lung cancer are never too far from S. Epatha Merkerson's heart and mind. A former smoker, Merkerson quit a few years ago after a 23-year addiction, but her best friend, Yvette Hawkins, never had the chance. In Season 1, Episode 4: Mistaken, we learn that Sharon is a Registered Nurse (RN), a Master of Public Health (MPH) and has an MBA in Healthcare Management. Outside of Hollywood, S. Epatha Merkerson is also an acclaimed theatrical actress. (Photo/Virginia Sherwood/NBC). Epatha and her family witnessed what we now call "white flight" firsthand, as her neighbors put their homes up for sale, moving out of Detroit to the suburbs where there was less ethnic diversity. Wiki User 2010-02-17 00:57:34 Study now See answer (1) Best Answer Copy In the series her Lt. Van Buren character has cancer. And in "nothing short of a miracle," a sister beat the grim statistics -- roughly 85% die within five years -- after a scare in the 1990s. Though their characters aren't constantly on screen together with Barrett's Nurse Lockwood and Merkerson's Administrator Goodwin working in different departments of the hospital there have been several moments when Goodwin and Lockwood show care and compassion for each other. When she spoke to Entertainment Weekly, they asked ifit was an emotional conversation to have with Dick Wolf. Jerry stopped eating to talk to them. My grandmother lost her sight. "More than anything, I just really miss my friends.". 15, 2005. Her first episode as Lt. Van Buren was called 'Sweeps', first In real There was a reason why I was hearing this dialogue, because it was this show coming up. "It's a graceful way to go. Although most of us only know Merkerson as a television actress, she has a wealth of acting experience on both the big and small screens and the stage. "But I think our main go-to is music.". In the show, based on the classic backstage movie, Orbach played hard-boiled producer Julian Marsh, who brings the young dancer out of the chorus to replace the shows ailing star. That's a real-life place where teachers accused of misconduct are warehoused, sometimes for years, while their cases are pending. The actresssaid she knew one person there, spending two months sleeping on her friend's floor while she auditioned for stage work, continuing to land roles for nearly a decade. As USA Today reported in 2014, Merkerson wasn't the only big star to get their start on the children's show; Laurence Fishburne was cast as Cowboy Curtis. It was a surprising development for one of Chicago Fire s most even-keel WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As reported in USA Today, Merkerson checks her blood sugar twice a day and tracks how she's doing with regular doctor visits. Merkerson as the iconic Lieutenant Anita Van Buren in 2008. life, Ms Merkerson is healthy. We go listen to music, weve gone to movies, we go out for dinner, we go out for cocktails, everything! she said. It's since got the reboot treatment via Netflix, but Merkerson was not part of the project. The 2005 TV movie, based on a play of the same name, is a drama film centering around the true story of Ruben Santiago Jr. Nanny Crosby became a maternal figure in Santiago's life when he had no one to turn to, and Merkerson's heartfelt delivery was enough to earn her several awards in recognition of the character. As per IMDb, Merkerson has had 23 nominations and 14 wins during her career. "I noticed that there's been this dialogue, especially on the black radio stations, about the dearth of information on people of color who are missing on a national scale,"Merkerson added. she recalls saying. This made the teachers' union reps look like oblivious, amoral, self-righteous jerks, refusing to help prevent murder because it would violate union protocol. S. Epatha Merkerson has been advocating for the campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and other cancer organizations for years. And Maniac Magee became a legend are blurring together when some of the characters in his film are showing up in real life. is chicagoland speedway being torn down; is iperms down as Anita Van Buren; she appeared as the character 'Denise Wintes' "Being a Type 2 diabetic is not a death sentence. she thought. Its a refreshingly real perspective from someone in the public eye who has With little time to waste, they started trying to track down potentially disgruntled teachers, which led them to the "rubber room.". She had to go through many physical, => Read More What They Like About Epatha | Television Academy Besides diabetes, Merkerson had high blood pressure. Webtulip diagnostics pvt ltd verna goa merl reagle crossword solutions did epatha merkerson have cancer in real life. It was an exciting moment and my mom was with me and it was just amazing to go to the Tony's.". Sharon Epatha Merkerson The often quoted bats eat 1,000 mosquitoes a night, is not based on real world science and is a myth in most cases. It's paid off. did epatha merkerson have cancer in real life. (Photo/NBCUniversal), "What I love about being in Chicago because New York is home for me is that I'm working with a group of really intelligent, wonderfully funny, intuitive people," she says. During the pandemic, Merkerson has kept up with her regimen. Merkerson took action. ' ? At the time, Merkerson was playing the iconic Lieutenant Anita Van Buren on NBC's "Law & Order.". Starring together on a hit TV show is no guarantee that you'll be friends in real life, and it's just as true for "Chicago Med" as any other. Orbach had announced in early December that he had prostate cancer. She says he kept telling her what she needed to do to take care of herself, but she wasn't doing it. But she wasn't always an award-winning actress living in a city that never sleeps. WebIt accounts for 11% of worldwide cancer cases. As reported on HealthyWomen, Merkerson acknowledged diabetes runs in her family, "My father died from complications of diabetes. Once again, these two are pros, and it shows in the rapport their characters have on the screen. Two of her closest friends died from the disease. Orbach had announced in early December that he had prostate cancer. It's exciting for me to be able to learn new things. S. Epatha Merkerson has done more than enough to earn her various awards and acclaims considering the decades she's spent working in Hollywood. With his hangdog puss and loose-limbed gait, Orbach was unmatched at playing the street-smart tough guy. The film was centered around Tracy Camilla Johns' character Nola, a young woman who is seeing three different men. In a 2000 interview with The Associated Press, Orbach remembered those days fondly. [23] He was really trying to make me healthier.". Born in the Bronx in 1935, Orbach was the son of a vaudeville-performer father and a radio-singer mother. What was S Epatha Merkerson diagnosed with on the series? WebLT Van Buren mc bnh ung th g v lut v trt t? The star remembers the rioting in Detroit during the summer of 1967 when she was a teenager, recalling it being scary. S. Epatha Merkerson has made a name for herself playing Lt. Anita Van Buren on the long-running, Emmy award-winning police "It was a combination of S. Epatha Merkerson's first film (and first acting credit in general) was her work in Spike Lee's 1986 directorial debut "She's Gotta Have It." The poster seemed at first to be a student, but the cops and DA's office gradually deduced it might be a teacher. It took a heartfelt conversation with her specialist to make her change her ways. in the episode 'Mushrooms', first aired February 26, 1991. Her performance led her to take over as Lt. Anita Van Buren in Season 4, running until the show ended years later. But even as Briscoe drooped from the burden of everything hed encountered, both on and off the job, he sized up life with sarcastic asides. S. Epatha Merkerson was once just a little girl from Detroit with big dreams of moving to New York to become an actress. After the camera was off, the doctor asked Merkerson to come back when she was finished working. currently dating "Frank," portrayed by actor Ernie Hudson. S. Epatha Merkerson; Chicago Med (TV Series) Friendship; David Duchovny; George Takei She's currently devoting her time to acting as a spokeswoman for the website America's Diabetes Challenge, which encourages type 2 diabetes patients to use a blood test known as the A1C test to manage their blood sugar, as well as to share their personal stories. But her history in the acting business expands well beyond her major network TV roles. Sharon Epatha Merkerson But walking did. She has won numerous Image Awards from the NAACP and multiple Screen Actors Guild awards over the years for her role in "Law & Order." It was always, 'Mama Pearl has a touch of sugar.' "One of them passed away in 1995; the other in '97. her role in NBC's "Law & Order" as Lieutenant Anita Van Buren, Merkerson's role the longest-running character in the series. People adored him, said Merkerson, who plays Lt. Van Buren. WebGet Direction. We can say some bats eat mosquitoes and in some cases mosquitoes make up a good part of their diet. The award was presented by her Merkerson says she is encouraged by a recent study published in The New England Journal of Medicine indicating that CT scans can detect lung cancer in its earliest stages. Epatha attributes her curiosity about other cultures and Black history to living in this neighborhood as a small child. The often quoted bats eat 1,000 mosquitoes a night, is not based on real world science and is a myth in most cases. Finally, her endocrinologist said, "I've been telling you for a couple of years now you have to start paying attention, Epatha. ", As for her diabetes, she's not worried by it. While eating on set, Merkerson says it's tough to make good choices, but she works hard at it. This is a problem "Find Our Missing" directly addressed. Merkerson also explained that Anita's cancer storyline was among the reasons she felt like it was a good time to depart the series. She was born on November 28, 1952. S. Epatha Merkerson is in demand. His loss is irreplaceable., Orbach started his career as a hoofer who also could carry a tune. She discusses living with Type 2 diabetes. WebDid Epatha Merkerson have cancer? I could not take a breath. The premise of last night's show was classic Dick Wolf, the man who conceived and has carefully nurtured "L&O" through 20 lucrative years. It was always, 'Mama Pearl has a touch of sugar.' Still, dont we all love to hear it when co-stars get along in real life? WebEpatha Merkerson, the actress who portrays the character, also has diabetes and asked for this story line to be incorporated into the show [1]. . It was a surprising development for one of Chicago Fire s most even-keel characters. A quintessential New Yorker, he personified his citys well-worn but implacable edge, embodying the Big Apple like few other actors. In 1960, he was in the original cast of the off-off-Broadway hit The Fantasticks, playing the Narrator who sang the evocative Try to Remember. That show went on to run for more than 40 years. As hospital administrator Sharon Goodwin on NBC's Chicago Med, S. Epatha Merkerson deals with her share of fictional medical cases. But I think our main go-to is music.. In Chicago, Orbach played money-loving lawyer Billy Flynn, the role Richard Gere inherited in the 2002 film. They're not just faceless people.". Within a year of quitting the actress turned activist joined the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids' crusade and, more recently, CancerCare and the American Lung Association of New York. In the film, Merkerson explores a little-known part of American history through the African-American "benevolent societies" that were formed by newly freed slaves after the civil war. Join us in discovering the untold truth of S. Epatha Merkerson. It did, however, take the unusual step of breaking into last night's justice story to spotlight a small, intense and particularly poignant personal drama involving one of the show's best-known and best-loved characters-- S. Epatha Merkerson's Lt. Anita Van Buren. The life force of S. Epatha Merkerson. The disparity between coverage of whites who go missing and people of color in America has been a heated topic of debate. 14 tips to get you through the first hard days. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Her In Season 1, Merkerson delivered an emotional portrayal of a grief stricken mother who horrifically lost her baby son. In an interview with the Television Academy, Merkerson shared how she had four aunts who lived in Queens when she was a girl. 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC. No, the Emmy Award winner is just fine in real life. Starring together on a hit TV show is no guarantee that youll be friends in real life, and its just as true for Chicago Med as any other. Even real-life police officers help her take her groceries to her car. How to Curb Stress While You Quit Smoking, Quitting Smoking -- Tips for the First Hard Days. Surprising impacts of tobacco on the body. Well, no, Mama Pearl has diabetes.". He knew it would rile me up. After she returned to New York, Merkerson saw her internist who referred her to an endocrinologist. "My father died from complications of diabetes. No, the Emmy Award winner is just fine in real life. Fittingly, the scene was filmed in shadows, with Merkerson not facing the camera-- and the way she played it, viewers had no immediate way of knowing which way the news went. Because her two-decade-plus habit makes Merkerson a potential candidate, she is also considering getting the scan. She has even branched out into producing and directing at one point. She covers health, celebrities, profiles, humor, and anything else that strikes her fancy. Now I'm here in Chicago doing 'Chicago Med,' and Chicago is a great walking city as well," she told HealthyWomen. As a cameraman from an NBC affiliate followed and filmed her, she cooked a healthy meal with a chef, talked with someone demonstrating exercises, and had her blood tested by a doctor at Howard University's table. Since that's been the premise of the show all these years-- that seeking justice in all its ragged and imperfect forms is simply what these characters do-- it was the right way to go. "People think that diabetes is something you can prevent. If her ancestors could see her now, they would be so proud of all her accomplishments and the woman she has become. But if it's part of your DNA, you have to deal with that. (Handout). Merkerson, whose character was diagnosed with cancer earlier this season, says she doesn't know yet if Lt. Van Buren will live or die. Merkerson and Barrett are friends and regularly hang out in real life. Of course, Marlyne Barrett and S. Epatha Merkerson are pros. I asked for a soda the other day and she said 'No. Additionally, she had a recurring role as Reba the Mail Lady on the quirky children's show "Pee-wee's Playhouse." "So, I let everybody know, and now they're making me toe the line, which is really good.". She played Lt. Van Buren in 291 episodes, WebS. "I was one of those people who lit a cigarette before I put my feet on the floor in the morning," she says. Well, no, Mama Pearl has diabetes." I Navigate it with Gratitude and Hope. Cyrus Lupo)Anthony Anderson (Det. Once upon a time, she was just a little girl from Michigan with a big dream and a bright future. Within a year of quitting, she got involved in sharing her story. "It's one of the lasting images in my mind -- she never got to smoke that last cigarette.". Im not going to tell you that I dont falter when it comes to staying on track during the holidays, she admits, but Ive learned not to beat myself up.. She'd quit smoking in 1994, but hadn't changed her eating habits or exercise, and she had gained weight. According to her IMDb page, Merkerson had quite a few recurring roles in the 90s on shows like "Here and Now"and "Mann & Machine" prior to landing her longtime "Law & Order"gig. WebDid Epatha Merkerson have cancer? of Law and Order: Trial by Jury called 'Skeleton' which aired April Lights on Broadway marquees were expected to be dimmed for one minute at curtain time Wednesday night in Orbachs memory. Kevin Bernard)S. Epatha Merkerson (Lt. Anita Van Buren)Linus Roache (EADA Michael Cutter)Alana DeLaGarza (ADA Connie Rubirosa)Sam Waterson (DA Jack McCoy)Carolyn McCormick (Dr. Elizabeth Olivet), Continue Learning about Movies & Television. But after a while, I whispered to him, Your food is getting cold., Kid, he replied with a big smile, these are the people that keep us going!. Gitt Ethan zrck op Chicago Med? And then in retrospect, I understood what the symptoms were that I had. Two of the star's best friends, Yvette Hawkins and Billie Neal, died of lung cancer. Additionally, at the time of the series finale in 2010, Van Buren was the longest-running Black character on primetime TV. She underwent surgery to get most of it removed, but the doctor informed her that they were entirely successful, and were going to have to resort to chemotherapy. For those who don't know, during Season 20, her character was diagnosed with Stage II cervical cancer, and in her last episode, she learns if her cancer had stopped or spread. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Merkerson had her first Tony nomination for her role in "The Piano Lesson." A prime example is in Season 5, when Lockwood, emotionally fragile and making questionable decisions in the wake of her cancer diagnosis, is convinced by Goodwin to start doing her chemotherapy at Gaffney, rather than continue through another hospital. I put some things in your room that I think are healthier choices," Merkerson says with a laugh. According to Biography,Merkerson was born in the suburbs of Detroit,Michigan in 1952. In 1978, Merkerson moved to New York. Merkerson portrayed Lydia Smith, the housekeeper of Tommy Lee Jones' Thaddeus Stevens. Cookies help us deliver our Services. The show built to a showdown in the library, which actually has its own kind of symbolic interest right now given what could be happening to city libraries. "You've seen what this disease can do. I'm sure it will be emotional, but right now I'm just really happy for having had the opportunity.". Merkerson thought he wanted a photograph or autograph. Are Marlyne Barrett And S. Epatha Merkerson From Chicago Med Friends In Real Life? Later, Maryland Eastern University, Montclair State University, andthe University of Pittsburgh awarded her additional honorary doctorates. It's also ironic to think that Merkerson began her career portraying a doctor, and is currently regularly on our TVs portraying the head doctor on "Chicago Med"all of these years later. The way the episode ends is that the doctor tells her the news, but because the camera doesn't show her face, audiences don't know the outcome. ", She asked, "What does that mean?" WebMatt Winiata - Harcourt's Agent. The scene in which her doctor calls to tell her whether the cancer has been stopped or has spread may have been one of the most indelible in the whole run of the show. There are two things you can do: You can either do better or you could actually lose your life or an extremity, and then what will you do?" Former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani called Orbach a friend to all New Yorkers and a devoted ambassador of the city., Orbachs long-time Law & Order co-star, S. Epatha Merkerson, remembered him as as a real good guy who knew everything and everybody. Merkerson's "Law &Order"run is historic. As reported on the TV One website, "African Americans make up about 12 percent of the U.S. population, but are almost one-third of all missing person cases reported each year. WebCan you buy bats to eat mosquitoes? In Promises, Promises, the Neil Simon-Burt Bacharach-Hal David musical based on the film The Apartment, he played Chuck Baxter, the role originated in the movie by Jack Lemmon. Actor. The devastating effects of lung cancer are never too far from S. Epatha Merkersons heart and mind. There's a long history of iconic TV duos who didn't get along, from David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson on "The X-Files" to William Shatner and George Takei's longstanding feud. My grandmother lost her sight. Webdid epatha merkerson have cancer in real life. Merkerson splits her time between New York City, which she considers home, and Chicago, where she films "Chicago Med." I found out the hard way. WebSeason 5, Episode 5: Freedom Tales. The perfect tummy control bodysuit, a popcorn gadget, more bestsellers starting at $8, Jerry Orbach had a gift for charming audiences his entire career first as a song-and-dance man who starred in musicals on and off Broadway, then for 12 years as a sharp-tongued cop on TVs Law & Order., Along the way, he made films as varied as the gritty crime drama Prince of the City and the smash romance Dirty Dancing., Orbach, who died of prostate cancer Tuesday in Manhattan, was beginning another chapter at age 69: He had taken his signature role as Detective Lennie Briscoe to NBCs upcoming spinoff Law & Order: Trial By Jury.. Verlisst d'Madame Goodwin Chicago Med? WebMerkerson did not immediately head for Manhattan once she earned her Wayne State degree in 1975, but instead took a job in Albany, New York, with a children's theater But, she also mentionsmany advantages to living in the city, like having opportunities to see dance performances and plays, sparking an early interest in the arts and entertainment in Epatha. But Merkerson learned more about these ancestors. Merkerson has multiple degrees, including a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Wayne State University. The devastating effects of lung cancer are never too far from S. Epatha Merkersons heart and mind. aired May 24, 2010. She survives him, as well as sons Chris and Tony from his first marriage. In total, Merkerson has won nine awards for her role in the 2005 flick. She was diagnosed on March 20, 1995, and by April 10 she was dead. . Por que Anita Van Buren deixou a lei e a ordem? "Van Buren is a hell of a character. "That's why the website is so important. And I just remember lying there, looking at my pack of cigarettes on the nightstand and thinking that the great thing about life is that you always have the opportunity to make another choice so I did.". The Emmy-winning "I ought to slap . By using our Services, you agree to our use of cookies. With Chicago Med on summer hiatus, the actress has partnered with the American Diabetes Association to promote awareness of the chronic illness. Merkerson and Barrett are friends and regularly hang out in real life. Merkerson said, "It was. As she shared with WebMD in 2008, "I'm an actor, so what I do is run my mouth. My uncle had amputations," she says. "We go listen to music, we've gone to movies, we go out for dinner, we go out for cocktails, everything!" WebWhen did Epatha Merkerson get married to Toussaint Jones?