Join or Sign In

Continue with Facebook Continue with email

By joining TV Guide, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy.

Linda Hamilton Biography

Birth Name:Linda Carroll Hamilton

Birth Place:Salisbury, Maryland, United States

Profession Actress, Soundtrack

Fast Facts

Gained critical success after starring alongside Ron Perlman in CBS's "Beauty and the Beast", a role that would land her both an Emmy and Golden Globe nomination
Left Washington College after two years to study acting under Lee Strasberg in New York City
Quote: "(On her character Sarah Connor in the Terminator films) "A woman who grows and transforms on screen is always a wonderful thing to play․ Sarah went from a vulnerable, normal girl to someone who finds all of her deep reservoirs of strength and comes through it all․""
Her biggest box office success includes 1984's "The Terminator" and later the film's sequel, "Terminator 2: Judgment Day"
Landed on John Willis' Screen World's list of Promising New Actors of 1982 following her big screen debut in "TAG: The Assassination Game"
Married filmmaker James Cameron in 1997 after meeting on the set of "Terminator" several years earlier, but ended the union two years later with Hamilton receiving a $50 million divorce settlement

1985Saturn Award-Best Actress: nominated
1988Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Drama: nominated
1989Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Drama: nominated
1989Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
1989Q Award-Best Actress in a Quality Drama Series: nominated
1990Saturn Award-Best Genre TV Actress: winner
1990Romy-Favorite Actress in a Series (Beliebtester weiblicher Serienstar): winner
1991ACCA-Best Actress in a Leading Role: nominated
1991Chainsaw Award-Best Actress: nominated
1992Saturn Award-Best Actress: winner
1992MTV Movie Award-Most Desirable Female: winner
1992MTV Movie Award-Best Female Performance: winner
1995CableACE-Actress in a Movie or Miniseries: winner
1996Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
1998Blockbuster Entertainment Award-Favorite Actress - Action/Adventure: winner
2000Golden Satellite Award-Best Performance by an Actress in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television: winner
2001Video Premiere Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
2015Artemis Honoree-Action Icon: winner
2019CinemaCon Award-Ensemble Award: winner
2019Festival Award-Best Actress: winner
2021Saturn Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2026Saturn Award-Best Guest Star in a Television Series: nominated