Merle Dandridge was born on May 31, 1975, in Okinawa, Japan, to a Korean mother and an African American father.

Due to her father's military career, the family relocated frequently, living at Beale Air Force Base in California before settling at Offutt Air Force Base in Bellevue, Nebraska.

It was in Nebraska that Dandridge spent most of her childhood, attending Papillion La Vista High School, where she actively participated in the theater department.

Her passion for acting led her to Roosevelt University’s Theatre Conservatory (now the Chicago College of Performing Arts), where she honed her skills in performance and drama.

Dandridge's career began in the world of theater, performing in various Chicago productions before making her mark on Broadway.

Her Broadway credits include notable musicals such as Jesus Christ Superstar, Spamalot, Rent, and Once on This Island. In 2006, she originated the role of Kala in Tarzan on Broadway. Her exceptional vocal and acting abilities earned her critical acclaim, solidifying her reputation in musical theater.

One of her most celebrated theater roles came in 2017 when she played Papa Ge, the God of Death, in the Broadway revival of Once on This Island at the Circle in the Square Theatre. Her performance was widely praised, and she, along with the cast, received a Grammy nomination for Best Musical Theater Album.

In January 2025, it was announced that Dandridge would take on the role of Persephone in the Broadway production of Hadestown, beginning her performances on February 18.

Dandridge has had a diverse television career, appearing in guest and recurring roles on numerous acclaimed series. She has appeared in NCIS, 24, Criminal Minds, The Newsroom, and Drop Dead Diva.

Her breakout television role came in 2015 when she was cast as Grace Greenleaf, the lead character in the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) drama series Greenleaf. Starring alongside Lynn Whitfield, Dandridge played the estranged daughter of a powerful Memphis church leader, navigating complex family and religious dynamics.

The series, which aired from 2016 to 2020, garnered critical and audience acclaim, and Dandridge’s performance was particularly praised for its depth and emotional range.

In 2020, she joined HBO Max's thriller The Flight Attendant, playing Kim Hammond in the first season. In 2022, she secured a main role in ABC’s Station 19, portraying Chief Natasha Seo-Yeon Ross.

She has also had recurring roles in Sons of Anarchy as Rita Roosevelt, The Night Shift as Gwen Gaskin, and Murphy Brown as a network boss.

Dandridge is also widely recognized for her work in video games. She provided the voice for Alyx Vance in Half-Life 2 and its sequels, a role that introduced her to a global gaming audience.

Another significant role came as Marlene in The Last of Us, a game lauded for its storytelling and character depth. She reprised her role in the HBO adaptation of The Last of Us in 2023, making history as one of the few video game actors to portray their character in a live-action adaptation.

For her outstanding performance in the 2015 game Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture, she won a BAFTA Award, further cementing her place as a talented voice actress in the gaming industry.

Dandridge was in a relationship with Christopher Johnston from 2011 to 2019. She has also spoken openly about her family and her mother’s resilience.

In an article for Good Housekeeping, she shared how her mother overcame immense challenges, including the loss of a child due to medical misdiagnosis, surviving a burning home during wartime, and attending nursing school while raising children.

Beyond acting, Dandridge is actively involved in philanthropy. She works with The Geffen Playhouse and Harvest Home LA, organizations that support arts education and provide resources for homeless pregnant women.

Merle Dandridge’s career spans multiple entertainment mediums, showcasing her talent in Broadway, television, and video games.

With her recent casting in Hadestown and her ongoing role in Station 19, she continues to captivate audiences with her dynamic performances. Her ability to seamlessly transition between different forms of entertainment speaks to her versatility and dedication as an actress and performer.

Whether on stage, screen, or behind a microphone, Dandridge remains a formidable force in the entertainment industry, inspiring future generations with her talent and resilience.