Linda Carroll Hamilton (born September 26, 1956) is an American movie actress born in Salisbury, Maryland.

She is best known for her performances as Sarah Connor in the first two films of The Terminator franchise, and her starring role in the TV series Beauty and the Beast. Notably, she trained intensely before her return as Sarah Connor in Terminator 2: Judgment Day, appearing lithe and muscular to match her character's cultivated ferocity. Twin sister Leslie, a nurse, helped with a cameo in T2.

Hamilton has been married and divorced twice. Her first marriage was to Bruce Abbott from 1982 to 1989; they had a a son, Dalton Abbott, born on October 4, 1989. Her second marriage was to film director James Cameron from 1997 to 1999; they had a daughter, Josephine Archer Cameron, born on February 15, 1993.

Hamilton suffers from bipolar disorder which she says was a driving factor in undermining her relationships. She has spoken publicly about the disorder in order raise awareness and to encourage others to seek treatment.

Filmography