Linda Hamilton Net Worth

Linda Hamilton: Net Worth, Career, Personal Life, and Real Estate

What is Linda Hamilton’s Net Worth?

Linda Hamilton, the iconic actress best known for her powerful portrayal of Sarah Connor in the “Terminator” film series, has amassed a net worth of $70 million. Her career spans decades and includes memorable roles in both film and television, solidifying her status as a prominent figure in Hollywood. Beyond the “Terminator” franchise, Hamilton has delivered captivating performances in various projects, earning critical acclaim and a dedicated fanbase.

Her financial success also stems from her substantial divorce settlement from director James Cameron, which further contributed to her impressive net worth.

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Born on September 26, 1956, in Salisbury, Maryland, Linda Hamilton’s early life was marked by both tragedy and resilience. Her father, Carroll Hamilton, a physician, passed away when she was just five years old. This early loss shaped her upbringing, as her mother remarried a police chief, providing a new family structure. Hamilton had an identical twin sister, Leslie, who sadly passed away in 2020, and she has an older sister and a younger brother. These familial connections have likely played a role in her personal strength.

Hamilton’s educational journey began at Wicomico Junior High and continued at Wicomico High School. She then spent two years at Washington College in Chestertown, Maryland, before relocating to New York City to pursue her acting aspirations. In the vibrant theatrical environment of New York, she honed her craft through acting workshops led by the esteemed actor and teacher, Lee Strasberg. This early training proved invaluable, laying the foundation for her future success.

Her professional acting career commenced in 1980, with a guest appearance on the NBC series “Shirley,” followed by roles in television films like “Reunion” and “Rape and Marriage: The Rideout Case.” That same year, she secured a significant role as Lisa Rogers on the primetime soap opera “Secrets of Midland Heights,” which exposed her to a broader audience. Her transition to the big screen came in 1982 with the thriller “TAG: The Assassination Game,” where she co-starred with Robert Carradine.

The Terminator and Film Career

After her role in “TAG,” Hamilton took on the leading part in the 1984 horror film “Children of the Corn,” based on Stephen King’s short story. She also appeared in “The Stone Boy” alongside esteemed actors like Robert Duvall, Glenn Close, and Wilford Brimley. However, it was another 1984 film that catapulted Hamilton to international stardom: James Cameron’s science-fiction thriller, “The Terminator.” As Sarah Connor, a waitress who becomes the target of a relentless cyborg assassin sent from the future, Hamilton delivered a groundbreaking performance. Her portrayal of a strong, resourceful woman made her a major action movie star and resonated with audiences worldwide.

“The Terminator” was a surprise box office success, grossing over $78 million on a modest budget of around $6 million. The film’s success not only launched Hamilton’s career to new heights but also set a new standard for action heroines. She reprised her iconic role as Sarah Connor in 1991’s “Terminator 2: Judgment Day,” which became the highest-grossing film of that year, earning more than $500 million at the global box office. Her return to the franchise demonstrated her lasting appeal and solidified her legacy as a film icon.

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In 2009, Hamilton lent her voice to “Terminator Salvation,” and she returned to the role in a starring capacity in 2019’s “Terminator: Dark Fate,” proving her continued commitment to the character and the franchise. This longevity speaks volumes about her influence and the enduring popularity of the “Terminator” films.

In 1986, Hamilton starred in two more films: the action thriller “Black Moon Rising” alongside Tommy Lee Jones, and the monster adventure sequel “King Kong Lives.” She took a break from film work until 1990, when she co-starred in the fantasy comedy “Mr. Destiny” with James Belushi, Michael Caine, and Jon Lovitz. Hamilton subsequently appeared in psychological thrillers such as “Silent Fall” and “Separate Lives.” In 1997, she starred in two films released just a week apart: “Shadow Conspiracy” with Charlie Sheen, and “Dante’s Peak” with Pierce Brosnan. While the former was not successful, the latter became a major commercial hit. Her subsequent film credits include “The Secret Life of Girls,” “Missing in America,” “The Kid & I,” “Hard Times,” “Curvature,” and “Easy Does It,” demonstrating her versatility in taking on a wide variety of roles.

Television Career

Linda Hamilton’s presence on television has been just as significant as her film work. In the early to mid-1980s, she appeared in the nighttime soap opera “King’s Crossing,” the television movie “Country Gold,” and four episodes of the police procedural series “Hill Street Blues.” She was also featured in television movies such as “Secret Weapons” and “Club Med.” Her breakthrough television role came in 1987, as Catherine Chandler in the CBS fantasy drama series “Beauty and the Beast.” Her co-star was Ron Perlman. Hamilton earned both Emmy and Golden Globe Award nominations for her performance. Her compelling portrayal of Catherine Chandler won her critical acclaim and a loyal fan base, leading her to leave the show in 1989.

After hosting “Saturday Night Live” in 1991, Hamilton made a significant return to television in 1995 with the TV movie “A Mother’s Prayer.” In this role, she portrayed a widowed mother diagnosed with AIDS. This moving performance earned her another Golden Globe nomination, highlighting her range as an actress. Following this, she made guest appearances on “Frasier” and starred in several other television movies, including “On the Line” and “Point Last Seen.”

In the early 2000s, Hamilton continued to be a presence on television, starring in TV movies like “Sex & Mrs. X,” “A Girl Thing,” and “Silent Night.” She later guest-starred in episodes of “According to Jim” and “Thief,” and she had a recurring role in the Canadian series “The Line.” Her more recent television credits include “Weeds,” “Chuck,” “Lost Girl,” the miniseries “Air Force One is Down,” the television movie “Bermuda Tentacles,” the science-fiction Western series “Defiance,” and “Resident Alien.” Hamilton’s continued work in television shows her sustained appeal to different audiences and her ongoing evolution as a performer.

(Photo by Rich Polk/Getty Images for IMDb

Personal Life

Linda Hamilton’s personal life has been marked by both joyous and challenging moments. She married actor Bruce Abbott in 1982. However, they divorced in 1989 after Abbott left her while she was pregnant with their son, Dalton. Later, Hamilton began a relationship with “Terminator” director James Cameron, with whom she had a daughter, Josephine, in 1993. The couple married in 1997 but divorced in 1999, with a $50 million settlement granted to Hamilton. This significant settlement further contributed to her financial well-being.

Hamilton has openly discussed her struggles with bipolar disorder and depression, recognizing these conditions as factors that contributed to the end of her two marriages. She has been candid about her mental health, emphasizing the importance of addressing these issues. Another setback occurred during the filming of “Terminator 2,” when Hamilton suffered hearing damage in one ear after Arnold Schwarzenegger fired a shotgun in an elevator, after she had removed her earplugs. Despite these challenges, Hamilton has demonstrated resilience and continues to thrive both personally and professionally.

Real Estate

Linda Hamilton has also made strategic real estate investments throughout her life. In 2012, she purchased a 25-acre property in Lucketts, Virginia, for $998,000. She later sold this property in 2016 for $1.3 million, demonstrating a good return on her investment. Prior to this, she owned several homes in Los Angeles, including a Malibu mansion which she sold in 2012 for $4 million; she had initially listed it for $5.5 million.

She currently owns an oceanfront home near Sarasota, Florida, which she purchased in 2003 for $850,000, and a townhome in New Orleans. These real estate holdings reflect her diverse investments and further contribute to her overall net worth.