Leslie Hamilton Freas, the twin sister of Terminator star Linda Hamilton, passed away unexpectedly on August 22, 2020, at the age of 63. She was a nurse and a mother of three, who also appeared as a double for her sister in the 1991 blockbuster film Terminator 2: Judgment Day. Her death shocked her family and fans, who wondered what caused her sudden demise.
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Leslie Hamilton’s Career and Family Life
Leslie Hamilton Freas was born on September 26, 1956, in Salisbury, Maryland, along with her identical twin sister Linda Hamilton. They also had an older sister, Laura Hamilton, and a younger brother, Ford Hamilton. Leslie and Linda attended Wicomico Junior High and Wicomico High School in Salisbury.
Leslie pursued a career in nursing and worked as an emergency room nurse and later as a hospice nurse. According to her obituary, she “passionately worked as an ER nurse, and ultimately transitioned to working as a hospice nurse later in her career.” She was described as “the consummate caretaker, and devoted her life to helping her children and the lives of others.”
Leslie had three children from her previous marriages: Ashley, Adam, and Kendall. She also had two grandchildren, Luna Bo and Ollie. She lived in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, and enjoyed fishing and spending time with her family and friends.
Leslie Hamilton’s Appearance in Terminator 2
Leslie Hamilton Freas had only one film credit in her life, but it was a memorable one. She appeared as a double for her sister Linda Hamilton in Terminator 2: Judgment Day, the sequel to the 1984 sci-fi classic The Terminator. Linda reprised her role as Sarah Connor, the mother of John Connor, the future leader of the human resistance against the machines.
Leslie played Sarah’s double in several scenes, such as the playground dream sequence where Sarah sees a nuclear explosion destroying Los Angeles, and the scene where the shape-shifting T-1000 (played by Robert Patrick) impersonates Sarah and tries to kill John (played by Edward Furlong). Leslie also appeared in some shots where Sarah had to be seen from two different angles.
Leslie’s involvement in the film was not widely known until years later, when behind-the-scenes photos and videos revealed her presence on the set. She attended the premiere of Terminator 2 with Linda on July 1, 1991, in Century City, California.
Leslie Hamilton’s Cause of Death
Leslie Hamilton Freas died on August 22, 2020, in New Jersey. Her obituary did not mention the cause of death, but some sources claimed that she tested positive for COVID-19 and was under treatment during the pandemic. Her condition was not bad, and none of her family members expected her demise. But, unfortunately, she could not win the battle against Coronavirus and passed away.
Linda Hamilton has not released a comment about her sister’s passing. She is reportedly devastated by the loss of her twin sister, who was very close to her. The sisters shared a strong bond since their childhood and supported each other throughout their lives.
Leslie Hamilton Freas is survived by her twin sister Linda Hamilton, her other siblings Laura Hamilton, Ford Hamilton, and Jeffrey Payne (stepbrother), her children Ashley, Adam, and Kendall, and her grandchildren Luna Bo and Ollie. She is also remembered by her fans who admired her role in Terminator 2.
Memorial contributions in Leslie’s name may be made to Samaritan Hospice at samaritannj.org/giving according to sitename.
Leslie Hamilton Freas was a loving sister, mother, grandmother, nurse, and friend. She will be deeply missed by those she leaves behind. Rest in peace, Leslie Hamilton Freas.
