Linda is best recalled 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. Twin sister Leslie, a nurse, helped with a cameo in T2.

Linda has been married and divorced twice. Her first marriage was to Bruce Abbott from 1982 to 1989 and they have a son Dalton Abbot born in 1989. Her second marriage was to James Cameron from 1997 to 1999 and they have a daughter Josephine Cameron born in 1993.

Linda has bipolar disorder, which was a driving factor in ruining her marriages, and has spoken publicly to raise awareness of diagnosis and treatments.