---
name: "Linda Hamilton"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/linda-hamilton"
fi1m_id: "linda-hamilton"
imdb_id: "nm0000157"
tmdb_id: 2713
wikidata_id: "Q208214"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "26 September 1956"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 7
average_fi1m_score: 74
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 6
updated: "2026-10-05T00:36:00.120228+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Linda Hamilton

## Identity

Linda Hamilton

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/linda-hamilton
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** linda-hamilton
- **IMDb ID:** nm0000157
- **TMDB ID:** 2713
- **Wikidata ID:** Q208214
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linda_Hamilton, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q208214, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000157/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/2713

Actor. Born 26 September 1956 in Salisbury, Maryland, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 26 September 1956, Salisbury, Maryland, USA
- **Active:** 1984–2019
- **Also known as:** Linda Carroll Hamilton
- **Titles on Fi1m:** 7: 6 acting, 1 other
- **Frequently works with:** [Arnold Schwarzenegger](https://film.one/person/arnold-schwarzenegger.md), [James Cameron](https://film.one/person/james-cameron.md), [Gale Anne Hurd](https://film.one/person/gale-anne-hurd.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 74, as actor, over 6 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 88 (1), 1990s 72 (2), 2000s 61 (2), 2010s 69 (2)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 74 to 72 across 5 titles
- **Score spread:** 2 at 80+, 3 at 60–79, 1 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 3 of 4 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Action 4, Thriller 4, Science Fiction 3, Action & Adventure 2, Adventure 2, Drama 2
- **Screen time:** 8 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $1,035m across 4 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linda_Hamilton, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q208214, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000157/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/2713

## Streaming the US now

- **Hulu:** [*Terminator 2: Judgment Day*](https://film.one/film/terminator-2-judgment-day.md) (88)
- **AMC+:** [*The Terminator*](https://film.one/film/the-terminator.md) (88)
- **Apple TV:** [*Terminator: Dark Fate*](https://film.one/film/terminator-dark-fate.md) (61)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Linda Hamilton

> Linda Hamilton makes physical strength convincing without making danger look easy to bear. We value her severity: as Sarah Connor in *Terminator 2: Judgment Day*, she keeps an action spectacle from becoming too comfortable.

Sarah Connor’s anger does not disappear when *Terminator 2: Judgment Day* (1991) finds something to laugh at. Linda Hamilton keeps her severe enough that the threat remains credible, even as James Cameron allows the film to soften around her. We were anxious for Sarah because Hamilton made the danger feel personal even amid the largest set-pieces. Her performance is a large part of why we recommend the sequel, despite a middle stretch that drifts into sentiment.

The physical preparation matters, though it is easy to give the muscles too much credit. Hamilton’s training for the role helped make Sarah a credible action heroine; her emotional intensity makes that strength worth watching. Beside Arnold Schwarzenegger’s composure and Edward Furlong’s less controlled John Connor, her severity creates friction. The three make awkward company, and the film benefits from their differences. Hamilton is particularly useful when the humour risks making the threat feel harmless: she gives us little permission to relax.

Sarah was already Hamilton’s breakthrough role in *The Terminator* (1984), but the sequel’s battle-hardened survivor became the defining version. Between the two came Catherine Chandler in *Beauty and the Beast* (1987–1989), another lead role that deserves space beside the action films. *Dante’s Peak* (1997), with Hamilton as Rachel Wando, was a prominent later film lead. Through the 1990s–2010s she also took recurring television parts and voice work, so an account confined to Sarah would miss much of her work.

The narrower offers are part of the story: after *Terminator 2: Judgment Day*, Hamilton was offered chiefly warrior-woman roles. That is a limitation of the casting, not evidence that she had nothing else to give. Her return to Sarah in *Terminator: Dark Fate* (2019) strengthened the association, but the appeal of the earlier performance is quite specific. Cameron gives her room to be angry, and she stops his film becoming cosy. Start with his sequel, prepared for a leading character who does little to put anyone at ease.

## Biography

Linda Hamilton is an American actress. She was born on 26 September 1956 in Salisbury, Maryland, and studied for two years at Washington College before attending acting workshops given by Lee Strasberg in New York.

She is best known for portraying Sarah Connor in *The Terminator* (1984), *Terminator 2: Judgment Day* (1991) and *Terminator: Dark Fate* (2019). Hamilton also played Catherine Chandler in the television series *Beauty and the Beast* (1987–1989), for which she received Golden Globe and Emmy nominations, and has appeared in films including *Children of the Corn* (1984) and *Dante's Peak* (1997), and series such as *Chuck* and *Weeds*.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.*

## On Fi1m (7)

### Performed in (6) — the average rests on these

- *Terminator: Dark Fate* (2019), Fi1m 61, as Sarah Connor — [page](https://film.one/film/terminator-dark-fate.md)
- *Stranger Things* (2016), Fi1m 77, as Dr. Kay — [page](https://film.one/tv/stranger-things.md)
- *Chuck* (2007), Fi1m 73, as Mary Elizabeth Bartowski — [page](https://film.one/tv/chuck.md)
- *Dante's Peak* (1997), Fi1m 56, as Rachel Wando — [page](https://film.one/film/dantes-peak.md)
- *Terminator 2: Judgment Day* (1991), Fi1m 88, as Sarah Connor — [page](https://film.one/film/terminator-2-judgment-day.md)
- *The Terminator* (1984), Fi1m 88, as Sarah Connor — [page](https://film.one/film/the-terminator.md)

### Also credited (1) — thanks, archive footage, uncredited

- *Terminator Salvation* (2009), Fi1m 49, as Sarah Connor (voice) (uncredited) — [page](https://film.one/film/terminator-salvation.md)

## Complete filmography (83)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Trust Me, I'm a Doctor* (2026), as Ellyn Garafalo
- *Osiris* (2025), as Anya
- *Jack & Lou: A Gangster Love Story* (2025), as Louise Rolfe
- *Dark Winds* (2022), series, as Barbara Sena — Fi1m 79, [page](https://film.one/tv/dark-winds.md)
- *Resident Alien* (2021), series, as General Eleanor McCallister
- *Easy Does It* (2020), as King George
- *Terminator: Dark Fate* (2019), as Sarah Connor — Fi1m 61, [page](https://film.one/film/terminator-dark-fate.md)
- *Goblin Boy News* (2018), as Sarah Connor (archive footage)
- *Curvature* (2017), as Florence
- *Shoot Me Nicely* (2017), as Layla
- *Stranger Things* (2016), series, as Dr. Kay — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/tv/stranger-things.md)
- *A Sunday Horse* (2016), as Mrs. Walden
- *Bermuda Tentacles* (2014), as Admiral Hansen
- *Bad Behavior* (2013), as Margaret
- *Alistair MacLean's Air Force One Is Down* (2013), series, as President Harriet Rowntree
- *Final Cut: Ladies and Gentlemen* (2012), as (archive footage)
- *DC Showcase Original Shorts Collection* (2010), as Madame Lorraine (segment "Jonah Hex") (voice)
- *Lost Girl* (2010), series, as Acacia
- *DC Showcase: Jonah Hex* (2010), as Madame Lorraine (voice)
- *Refuge* (2010), as Amelia Philips
- *Holy Water* (2009), as Cory Williams
- *Terminator Salvation* (2009), as Sarah Connor (voice) (uncredited), Sarah Connor (voice over) (uncredited) — Fi1m 49, [page](https://film.one/film/terminator-salvation.md)
- *In Your Dreams* (2009), as Georgie
- *The Line* (2009), series, as Carol
- *Broken* (2007), as Karen
- *Chuck* (2007), series, as Mary Elizabeth Bartowski — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/tv/chuck.md)
- *Home by Christmas* (2006), as Julie Bedford
- *Thief* (2006), series, as Roselyn Moore, Roselyn Moore (archive footage, uncredited)
- *The Kid & I* (2005), as Susan Mandeville
- *Weeds* (2005), series, as Linda — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/tv/weeds.md)
- *Smile* (2005), as Bridgette
- *Missing in America* (2005), as Kate
- *Harvesting Horror: Children of the Corn* (2004), as (archival footage)
- *Silent Night* (2002), as Elisabeth Vincken
- *According to Jim* (2001), series, as Melissa Evans
- *Skeletons in the Closet* (2001), as Tina
- *Bailey's Mistake* (2001), as Liz Donovan
- *A Girl Thing* (2001), series, as Rachel Logan
- *Buzz Lightyear of Star Command* (2000), series, as Dr. Furbanna (voice)
- *Sex & Mrs. X* (2000), as Joanna Scott
- *Saturday Night Live: 25th Anniversary Special* (1999), as (archive footage)
- *The Secret Life of Girls* (1999), as Ruby Sanford
- *The Color of Courage* (1999), as Anna Sipes
- *Batman Beyond* (1999), series, as Dr. Stephanie Lake (voice)
- *Batman Beyond: The Movie* (1999), as Dr. Stephanie Lake (voice)
- *Point Last Seen* (1998), as Rachel Myles
- *Hercules* (1998), series, as Nemesis (voice)
- *Rescuers: Stories of Courage - Two Couples* (1998), as Marie Taquet
- *On the Line* (1998), as Jean Martin
- *Robots Rising* (1998), as Narrator
- *The New Batman Adventures* (1997), series, as Susan Maguire (voice)
- *Dante's Peak* (1997), as Rachel Wando — Fi1m 56, [page](https://film.one/film/dantes-peak.md)
- *Shadow Conspiracy* (1997), as Amanda Givens
- *The Way to Dusty Death* (1995), as Beth MacAlpine
- *Separate Lives* (1995), as Lauren Porter / Lena
- *A Mother's Prayer* (1995), as Rosemary Holmstrom
- *Silent Fall* (1994), as Karen Rainer
- *Frasier* (1993), series, as Claire (voice), Laura — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/frasier.md)
- *Terminator 2: Judgment Day* (1991), as Sarah Connor — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/film/terminator-2-judgment-day.md)
- *Mr. Destiny* (1990), as Ellen Burrows
- *Go Toward the Light* (1988), as Claire Madison
- *Beauty and the Beast* (1987), series, as Catherine Chandler
- *King Kong Lives* (1986), as Amy Franklin
- *Black Moon Rising* (1986), as Nina
- *Club Med* (1986), as Kate
- *Secret Weapons* (1985), as Elena Koslov
- *The Terminator* (1984), as Sarah Connor — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/film/the-terminator.md)
- *Murder, She Wrote* (1984), series, as Carol McDermott
- *The Stone Boy* (1984), as Eva Crescent Moon Lady
- *Children of the Corn* (1984), as Vicky
- *Secrets of a Mother and Daughter* (1983), as Susan Decker
- *Wishman* (1983), as Mattie MacGregor
- *Country Gold* (1982), as Josie Greenwood
- *Tag: The Assassination Game* (1982), as Susan Swayze
- *King's Crossing* (1982), series, as Lauren Hollister
- *Hill Street Blues* (1981), series, Actor — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/hill-street-blues.md)
- *Secrets of Midland Heights* (1980), series, as Lisa Rogers
- *Rape and Marriage: The Rideout Case* (1980), as Greta Rideout
- *Reunion* (1980), as Anne Samoorian
- *Shirley* (1979), series, Actor
- *Night-Flowers* (1979), as Wafer
- *War on Wolves*, as Special Narrator
- *Hot Curlers*, Actor

## Gallery

- ![Linda Hamilton](https://film.one/media/person/78350/gallery-d5d1d89c5ee0.jpg) Linda Hamilton — Super Festivals from Ft. Lauderdale, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/29/Linda_Hamilton_Photo_Op_GalaxyCon_Raleigh_2024.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Actress Linda Hamilton at the Big Apple Convention in Manhattan. Photographed by Luigi Novi. This photo may only be used if the photographer is properly credite (2009)](https://film.one/media/person/78350/gallery-400f7aee0a38.jpg) Actress Linda Hamilton at the Big Apple Convention in Manhattan. Photographed by Luigi Novi. This photo may only be used if the photographer is properly credite (2009) — Nightscream, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0b/10.17.09LindaHamiltonByLuigiNovi.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Arnold Schwarzenegger and Linda Hamilton speaking at the 2019 San Diego Comic Con International, for "Terminator: Dark Fate", at the San Diego Convention Center](https://film.one/media/person/78350/gallery-a5cb760e4990.jpg) Arnold Schwarzenegger and Linda Hamilton speaking at the 2019 San Diego Comic Con International, for "Terminator: Dark Fate", at the San Diego Convention Center — Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/db/Arnold_Schwarzenegger_%26_Linda_Hamilton_%2848354909856%29.jpg/1280px-Arnold_Schwarzenegger_%26_Linda_Hamilton_%2848354909856%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Fan Expo Canada in Toronto in 2013.](https://film.one/media/person/78350/gallery-d06faf3e66db.jpg) Fan Expo Canada in Toronto in 2013. — jareed from London, UK, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3d/Fan_Expo_2013_-_Linda_Hamilton_%289669548948%29.jpg/1280px-Fan_Expo_2013_-_Linda_Hamilton_%289669548948%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Linda Hamilton](https://film.one/media/person/78350/gallery-25bfa94c6388.jpg) Linda Hamilton — Image via TMDB
- ![Linda Hamilton](https://film.one/media/person/78350/gallery-16d27a241a94.jpg) Linda Hamilton — Image via TMDB
- ![Linda Hamilton](https://film.one/media/person/78350/gallery-fd2708365b12.jpg) Linda Hamilton — Image via TMDB
- ![Marine Sgt. Raymond Lewis, combat correspondent with the 8th Marine Corps District, and Linda Hamilton, actress known from her role as Sarah Conner in "Terminat (2011)](https://film.one/media/person/78350/gallery-ed1bfeb21299.jpg) Marine Sgt. Raymond Lewis, combat correspondent with the 8th Marine Corps District, and Linda Hamilton, actress known from her role as Sarah Conner in "Terminat (2011) — DVIDSHUB, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/39/Flickr_-_DVIDSHUB_-_Marine_Corps_Birthday_Ball_%28Image_2_of_2%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Linda Hamilton, Natalia Reyes, Diego Boneta, Mackenzie Davis, Gabriel Luna and Arnold Schwarzenegger speaking at the 2019 San Diego Comic Con International, for](https://film.one/media/person/78350/gallery-40cd66593d18.jpg) Linda Hamilton, Natalia Reyes, Diego Boneta, Mackenzie Davis, Gabriel Luna and Arnold Schwarzenegger speaking at the 2019 San Diego Comic Con International, for — Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6c/Linda_Hamilton%2C_Natalia_Reyes%2C_Diego_Boneta%2C_Mackenzie_Davis%2C_Gabriel_Luna_%26_Arnold_Schwarzenegger_%2848354898701%29.jpg/1280px-Linda_Hamilton%2C_Natalia_Reyes%2C_Diego_Boneta%2C_Mackenzie_Davis%2C_Gabriel_Luna_%26_Arnold_Schwarzenegger_%2848354898701%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Linda Hamilton](https://film.one/media/person/78350/gallery-6e23431a7518.jpg) Linda Hamilton — Image via TMDB
- ![Linda Hamilton](https://film.one/media/person/78350/gallery-9dbeaebdd55c.jpg) Linda Hamilton — Image via TMDB
- ![Linda Hamilton](https://film.one/media/person/78350/gallery-7ceafca14bc1.jpg) Linda Hamilton — Image via TMDB

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/linda-hamilton