Linda Hamilton is renowned for portraying tough, resilient characters. She began her film career in 1979, but her breakout role came in 1984 with the portrayal of Sarah Connor in The Terminator and its sequels Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) and Terminator: Dark Fate (2019). This role cemented her status as a cultural icon and helped redefine the portrayal of female characters in science fiction and action films.
Linda Hamilton was recently revealed in the teaser trailer for Stranger Things Season 5, though specific details about her character remain limited. She plays Dr. Kay, the third major government-affiliated doctor to appear in the series, and is likely positioned as the replacement for Dr. Owens within the Department of Defense unit that has been overseeing the situation in Hawkins. While the exact nature of her role-whether as an ally or antagonist-remains unclear, earlier footage shown at the Next on Netflix event featured her in military uniform, suggesting a position of authority. Her casting carries particular significance given her deep association with 1980s genre cinema. Hamilton’s presence not only reinforces the show’s nostalgic foundations but also signals a potentially pivotal new direction for the series as it moves into its final season.
Her status as an icon of 1980s cinema stems largely from her breakthrough roles during that decade, which established her as a symbol of strength and resilience on screen.
In 1984, Hamilton made two significant film appearances. First, she starred in Children of the Corn, a horror film adapted from Stephen King’s short story, playing Vicky Baxter, a motorist who encounters sinister forces while traveling through rural Nebraska. Although the film received generally negative reviews, it was financially successful, grossing $14 million domestically on a $3 million budget.
That same year, Hamilton was cast as Sarah Connor in James Cameron’s The Terminator. The film tells the story of Sarah, a young waitress who becomes the target of a cyborg assassin sent from the future to kill her unborn son, destined to lead humanity against a hostile artificial intelligence known as Skynet. The Terminator was a surprise commercial hit, topping the U.S. box office for two weeks and earning critical acclaim for its genre-defining blend of science fiction and action. Critics attributed much of the film’s success to Hamilton’s performance, with The Hollywood Reporter noting her "tremendous resiliency" and The New York Times describing her portrayal as "engrossing."
Initially, Sarah Connor was described in the script as a 19-year-old with small, delicate features and a vulnerable quality masking inner strength. Several actresses, including Lisa Langlois, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Melissa Sue Anderson, and Jessica Harper, were considered for the role before Cameron ultimately cast Hamilton, fresh from filming Children of the Corn.
Following The Terminator, Hamilton appeared as a car thief named Nina in the 1986 action thriller Black Moon Rising. She also guest-starred on Murder, She Wrote and led the big-budget adventure film King Kong Lives, a sequel to the 1976 remake of King Kong. While the latter was moderately successful financially, it was widely panned by critics.
During the early 1990s, Hamilton continued to work steadily. She starred in the 1990 fantasy-comedy Mr. Destiny, a film praised for her intrinsic warmth. She reunited with Cameron in Terminator 2: Judgment Day, then reportedly the most expensive film ever made, grossing over $500 million worldwide and becoming the highest-grossing film of 1991. Cameron crafted a more troubled version of Sarah Connor for this sequel, inspired by Hamilton’s own desire to portray a "crazy" character, leading to a storyline that placed Sarah in a mental hospital. Hamilton underwent intense physical training to embody the character’s transformation from a vulnerable young woman to a battle-ready warrior. Despite the grueling process, which included training drills that pushed her to tears, Hamilton’s performance was lauded for its "wild-eyed" intensity and formidable presence. She received two MTV Movie Awards and a Saturn Award for Best Actress for her role, solidifying Sarah Connor’s place as one of cinema’s most iconic female characters. In recognition of her rising profile, Hamilton hosted Saturday Night Live on November 16, 1991.
In Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Linda Hamilton’s twin sister, Leslie, served as her double in several scenes, including the key sequence where the T-1000 mimics Sarah Connor’s appearance. Leslie’s involvement added an important element to the film’s visual storytelling. Tragically, Leslie passed away on August 22, 2020, at the age of 63.
In 1991, after filming Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Hamilton began a relationship with director James Cameron, moving in together and later having a daughter in 1993. Hamilton has spoken openly about experiencing postpartum depression after the birth of their second child. The couple briefly separated when Cameron began a relationship with actress Suzy Amis during the filming of Titanic (1997), but Hamilton and Cameron later reconciled and married in 1997. Their marriage ended in 1999 with Hamilton receiving a $50 million divorce settlement.
Hamilton’s later film roles included psychological thrillers like Silent Fall (1994) and Separate Lives (1995). She earned critical acclaim for the television movie A Mother’s Prayer (1995), portraying a widow diagnosed with AIDS. This role, which earned her a CableACE Award and a Golden Globe nomination, showcased her range beyond action roles, blending strength and frailty. To prepare, she followed a strict diet and immersed herself in the character’s emotional reality.
She guest-starred in Frasier before appearing in two films released just a week apart in 1997: the political thriller Shadow Conspiracy and the disaster hit Dante’s Peak. The latter grossed $180 million, becoming one of the year’s biggest commercial successes. Though the narrative received mixed reviews, critics praised the effects and performances, with Roger Ebert commending Hamilton and co-star Pierce Brosnan for their realistic portrayals. Hamilton won Best Actress at the Blockbuster Entertainment Awards for her role as Rachel Wando, a small-town mayor. Reflecting on her casting, she noted the industry’s prior typecasting of her as tough characters and how the role challenged that perception by allowing her to play "normal."
Hamilton returned to the Terminator franchise in Terminator: Dark Fate (2019), directed by Tim Miller and set 25 years after Terminator 2. Initially reluctant to return, valuing her private life away from Hollywood’s spotlight, she ultimately embraced the opportunity. Filming took place across Hungary, Spain, and the U.S. Despite underwhelming box office returns, the film was generally well-received, with Hamilton’s performance singled out for praise.
In June 2023, it was announced that Hamilton would join the cast of Netflix’s Stranger Things for its fifth and final season, scheduled to air in 2025. This casting is significant as the show’s nostalgic 1980s theme aligns perfectly with Hamilton’s legacy as a defining figure of that decade. A self-proclaimed fan of the series, Hamilton expressed excitement and a playful uncertainty about balancing her role as an actress with her fandom:
"I don’t know how to be a fangirl and an actress at the same time. I’m going to work on that."
- Linda Hamilton on starring in Stranger Things Season 5
The news ignited enthusiasm among fans, with the crowd at Netflix’s Tudum fan event erupting in cheers when the reveal was made. Arnold Schwarzenegger, her former Terminator co-star, enthusiastically introduced her, calling Hamilton a “fantastic actress” and a “badass” who was joining one of his favorite shows.
Linda Hamilton remains beloved not only for her iconic portrayal of Sarah Connor but also for her ability to convey strength and vulnerability in equal measure. With her upcoming role in Stranger Things Season 5, she is set to captivate a new generation while reminding longtime fans why she is one of the most memorable actresses of her era.
