Academy Award-winning director James Cameron’s “The Terminator” is one of the most iconic sci-fi movies ever made. With the excitement of an action flick and the terror of a slasher horror film, it both thrilled and frightened audiences when it hit theaters.
The movie follows the eponymous murderous cyborg assassin back in time from 2029 to 1984, as it’s sent to kill a woman whose not-yet-conceived son will one day save humankind from annihilation at the hands of Skynet, a hostile artificial intelligence, in a post-apocalyptic future. Meanwhile, a resistance soldier from the future is sent back after the machine to protect the woman.
It stars Arnold Schwarzenegger as the titular Terminator, along with Linda Hamilton, Michael Biehn, and a talented supporting cast of actors.
“The Terminator” was released on October 26, 1984, meaning it turns 42 this year. So what are the cast looking like today, compared to back then? Let’s find out…
Arnold Schwarzenegger (The Terminator)
Above is a social media post with a picture of Arnold Schwarzenegger in “The Terminator.”
Arnold Schwarzenegger played the eponymous Terminator in “The Terminator.” The Terminator is a relentless and nigh-unstoppable T-800 Model 101 cyborg sent back to 1984 from 2029 to kill Sarah Connor.
Age when “The Terminator” released: 37.
Selected movie credits before “The Terminator”: Hercules in New York (1970), Scavenger Hunt (1979), Conan the Barbarian (1982).
GettyAge now: 78.
Selected movie credits after “The Terminator”: Predator (1987), Kindergarten Cop (1990), Jingle All the Way (1996).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Linda Hamilton (Sarah Connor)
Above is a social media post with a picture of Linda Hamilton in “The Terminator.”
Linda Hamilton played Sarah Connor in “The Terminator.” Sarah is a young and seemingly ordinary waitress in 1984 Los Angeles who discovers she’s destined to become the mother of humanity’s future savior. She’s the target of the Terminator’s mission.
Age when “The Terminator” released: 28.
Selected movie credits before “The Terminator”: Tag: The Assassination Game (1982), Children of the Corn (1984), The Stone Boy (1984).
GettyAge now: 69.
Selected movie credits after “The Terminator”: Dante’s Peak (1997), The Kid & I (2005), Osiris (2025).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Michael Biehn (Kyle Reese)
Above is a social media post with a picture of Michael Biehn in “The Terminator.”
Michael Biehn played Kyle Reese in “The Terminator.” Reese is a battle-hardened soldier from the future resistance movement, sent back in time by John Connor to protect Sarah Connor from the Terminator. He ends up as her love interest and the father of her son — his own future ally.
Age when “The Terminator” released: 28.
Selected movie credits before “The Terminator”: Coach (1978), The Fan (1981), The Lords of Discipline (1983).
Above is a 2025 social media post with a recent picture of Michael Biehn (L) with “The Terminator” director James Cameron.
Age now: 69.
Selected movie credits after “The Terminator”: Aliens (1986), The Abyss (1989), Predator: Killer of Killers (2025).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Paul Winfield (Ed Traxler)
Above is a social media post with a picture of Paul Winfield in “The Terminator.”
Paul Winfield played Ed Traxler in “The Terminator.” Winfield is a police lieutenant in the Los Angeles Police Department who’s investigating the murders committed by the Terminator and trying to protect Sarah Connor.
Age when “The Terminator” released: 45.
Selected movie credits before “The Terminator”: Huckleberry Finn (1974), The Greatest (1977), Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982).
GettyAge now: Sadly passed away in 2004 aged 64.
Selected movie credits after “The Terminator”: Cliffhanger (1993), Dennis the Menace (1993), Mars Attacks! (1996).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Lance Henriksen (Hal Vukovich)
Above is a social media post with a picture of Lance Henriksen in “The Terminator.”
Lance Henriksen played Hal Vukovich in “The Terminator. Vukovich is another member of the Los Angeles Police Department and Traxler’s tough partner.
Age when “The Terminator” released: 44.
Selected movie credits before “The Terminator”: Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977), Nightmares (1983), The Right Stuff (1983).
GettyAge now: 85.
Selected movie credits after “The Terminator”: Aliens (1986), The Quick and the Dead (1995), Scream 3 (2000).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Bess Motta (Ginger)
Above is a social media post with a picture of Bess Motta (R) with Linda Hamilton in “The Terminator.”
Bess Motta played Ginger in “The Terminator.” Ginger is Sarah’s roommate and best friend, who meets a tragic fate early on in the film when the Terminator mistakes her for Sarah.
Age when “The Terminator” released: 26.
Selected movie credits before “The Terminator”: Seed of Innocence (1980).
Above is a 2025 social media post by Bess Motta with a recent picture of her.
Age now: 67.
Selected movie credits after “The Terminator”: You Talkin’ to Me? (1987).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Rick Rossovich (Matt)
Above is a social media post with a picture of Rick Rossovich in “The Terminator.”
Rick Rossovich played Matt in “The Terminator.” Matt is Ginger’s boyfriend who the Terminator also murders.
Age when “The Terminator” released: 27.
Selected movie credits before “The Terminator”: The Lords of Discipline (1983), Losin’ It (1983), Streets of Fire (1984).
Above is a social media post with a picture of Rick Rossovich in 2022.
Age now: 68.
Selected movie credits after “The Terminator”: Top Gun (1986), Roxanne (1987), Paint it Black (1989).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Earl Boen (Peter Silberman)
Above is a social media post with two pictures of Earl Boen in “The Terminator.”
Earl Boen played Doctor Peter Silberman in “The Terminator.” Silberman is a criminal psychologist who interviews Kyle Reese and dismisses his story about coming from the future as him being delusional.
Age when “The Terminator” released: 43.
Selected movie credits before “The Terminator”: Barnaby Jones (1979), 9 to 5 (1980), The Man with Two Brains (1983).
Above is a social media post with a picture of Earl Boen at a convention sometime in his later life.
Age now: Sadly passed away in 2023 aged 81.
Selected movie credits after “The Terminator”: My Stepmother Is an Alien (1988), Naked Gun 33+1⁄3: The Final Insult (1994), Nutty Professor II: The Klumps (2000).
Filmography info per IMDb.
“The Terminator” remains as popular today as it was upon its release. It spawned a franchise that now comprises five sequels, a television series, comic books, novels, video games, and a huge amount of miscellaneous related merchandise.
While it’s great to see so many of its cast members doing so well, it’s sad to see a couple are no longer with us.
May Paul Winfield and Earl Boen rest in eternal peace.
