Denise Burse

Known for

Acting

Born

January 23, 1952 (age 74)

Biography

Denise Burse-Mickelbury (born January 13, 1952) is an American actress, best known for her role as Claretha Jenkins in the television series Tyler Perry's House of Payne.

An African-American native of Atlanta, Burse received professional training at the Just Us Theatre, The Alliance Theatre and The Atlanta Children's Theater. She has numerous television credits such as Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and Law & Order: Criminal Intent. Burse has also appeared in various stage productions such as An American Daughter, Harriet’s Return, Ground People, Pearl Cleage's Flyin' West, and Radio Golf. In 2016, she appeared in "San Junipero", an episode of the anthology series Black Mirror.

Best known work

Black Mirror

2011

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

1999

Manifest

2018

New Amsterdam

2018

Vacation Friends

2021

Law & Order

1990

The Wrath of Becky

2023

The Juror

1996

Law & Order: Criminal Intent

2001

Basquiat

1996

Filmography

2025
The Home
as Sadie
2025
DocTV
as Ruby (1 episode)
2023
The Wrath of Becky
as Elena
2021
Vacation Friends
as Grandma Phyllis
2018
New AmsterdamTV
as Marlene (1 episode)
2018
ManifestTV
as Estelle Vance (uncredited) (1 episode), as Estelle Vance (1 episode)
2016
GreenleafTV
as Ethlin Satterlee (1 episode)
2016
Anesthesia
as West Indian Nurse
2011
Black MirrorTV
as Elder Kelly (1 episode)
2011
Peace, Love & Misunderstanding
as Angel
2007
Tyler Perry's House of PayneTV
as Claretha Jenkins (130 episodes)
2001
Law & Order: Criminal IntentTV
as Sarah Edgars (1 episode)
1999
Third WatchTV
as Brigette (1 episode)
1999
Law & Order: Special Victims UnitTV
as Counselor Scheider (1 episode), as Pamela Tatum (1 episode)
1996
Basquiat
as Mary on TV
1996
The Juror
as Secretary
1994
New York UndercoverTV
as Mrs. Reyes (1 episode)
1990
Law & OrderTV
as Sarah Chase (1 episode), as ER Nurse #2 (1 episode)
1986
The Boy King
as Bunch