Linda Hamilton joins a group of Hollywood women who reject ageism and embrace natural aging, inspiring others to rethink their expectations of beauty.
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- Terminator star Linda Hamilton says she is “completely resigned” to aging and is not trying to look younger.
- Hamilton joins other Hollywood actresses such as Jennifer Love Hewitt and Pamela Anderson in speaking out against ageism.
- Experts say this change is positive and that growing older is a privilege.
Linda Hamilton is joining the chorus of Hollywood women who are getting honest about aging.
The 69-year-old star, known for his role in the “Terminator” series, spoke about the pressures of ageism in Hollywood in an interview with AARP’s “Movies for Adults.”
“I’ve never tried to look young on any level,” she said. “I’ve just completely surrendered to the fact that this is the face I’ve earned. And it says a lot to me. And that’s sometimes what I don’t want to hear.”
She continued, “I’m not chasing beauty or especially longevity. I’m completely comfortable with the present moment. But that doesn’t mean I don’t try to stay healthy. But not all the time. Sometimes I’m just a jelly donut. I’m not rigid. It’s a great way to age.”
Hamilton rose to fame with her iconic role as action hero Sarah Connor in 1984’s The Terminator, a role she reprized in the 1991 sequel Terminator 2: Judgment Day. In 2019, she revisited the character in Terminator: New Fate after decades away from the sci-fi series, reuniting with Arnold Schwarzenegger as the Terminator.
Hamilton will also appear on the small screen in the final season of “Stranger Things,” which premiered on Netflix on Nov. 26.
Hamilton isn’t the only woman in Hollywood embracing aging. Experts say change is a good thing.
How stars like Jennifer Love Hewitt, Pamela Anderson and Justin Bateman are changing the narrative
Thriving for women should be the norm, Susan Yara, founder of the Naturium Skincare and Mixed Makeup YouTube channel, previously told USA TODAY.
“We bring more confidence and self-confidence and wisdom that only comes with age,” Yara said.
Jennifer Love Hewitt sparked a similar conversation about natural aging in December 2024 when she revealed that she was sometimes frustrated by the public’s reaction to her aging.
“For me, it’s not difficult personally,” the actress said of aging, but for fans it’s a different story. Hewitt said in an interview with Fox News, “I feel like fans choose this age that they love that they think represents them. They’re never supposed to grow beyond that.”
Other celebrities have made headlines for coming to terms with aging, including Pamela Anderson, who attended a Paris Fashion Week event without makeup in October 2023, and Justin Bateman, who said in April 2023 that he thinks he looks “great” as he ages naturally. Kelly Ripa and Valerie Bertinelli spoke candidly about their gray roots. TV personalities such as Katie Couric and actress Courteney Cox have also opened up about the “intense” scrutiny older women in the public eye face.
Cassandra Bankson, a medical esthetician and YouTube skincare personality, previously told USA TODAY that “getting older is a privilege” and that “we should embrace how our skin takes care of us and the stories it tells us.”
Tips for accepting aging
If you have mixed feelings about seeing yourself without makeup or showing signs of aging, experts offer the following advice:
▶ Remember, social media is not real. Dr. Michael Keyes, a plastic surgery fellow at the University of Louisville, believes that “celebrities and influencers often use filters and photo editing apps to minimize skin discoloration, wrinkles, and excess fat in unwanted areas.”
“From a health standpoint, it’s important to be aware of what’s real and what’s not,” he previously told USA TODAY, encouraging people to instead follow influencers who post raw, unfiltered photos.
▶ Adjust your makeup routine. Aging is inevitable, but you can take steps to look and feel better. Dr. Heidi Gudarzi, a board-certified dermatologist specializing in cosmetic and medical dermatology, suggested replacing foundation with a tinted sunscreen for a glow that doesn’t hide your natural features.
▶ Be kind to yourself: Yara reminds us that as we get older, we should be proud of our bodies and what they’ve gone through. “My confidence is really my secret weapon, something I’ve gained through years of experience and being comfortable with myself,” she previously told USA TODAY.
Contributors: Brendan Morrow, Charles Trepany, Taijuan Moorman; america today
Rachel Hale’s role covering youth mental health for USA TODAY is supported by a partnership with Pivotal and Journalism Funding Partners. Funders do not provide editorial input. Contact her at rhale@usatoday.com. @rachleighhale With X.
