The ensemble of actors in Terminator 2: Judgment Day played a pivotal role in making this science fiction classic a cinematic masterpiece. Each member of the Terminator 2 cast contributed their unique talents to make “Terminator 2” a classic, and we will explore their roles in the movie.
What is Terminator 2?
Terminator 2: Judgment Day is a 1991 American science fiction action movie, directed by James Cameron, who co-wrote the screenplay with William Wisher. It features Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Robert Patrick and Edward Furlong. It serves as the follow-up to The Terminator (1984) and The Terminator (1984), all belonging to the Terminator series.
In the film, the malevolent artificial intelligence Skynet sends a highly advanced killing machine, a Terminator, back in time to the year 1995 to eliminate the future leader of the human resistance, John Connor, when he was a child. The resistance sends back a less advanced, reprogrammed Terminator to safeguard Connor and ensure the survival of humanity.
The Terminator achieved significant success, boosting the careers of Schwarzenegger and Cameron. However, the sequel faced delays due to conflicts between the pair and Hemdale Film Corporation, which had partial rights to the film. In 1990, Schwarzenegger and Cameron convinced Carolco Pictures to buy the rights from The Terminator’s producer, Gale Anne Hurd, and the financially struggling Hemdale.
A release date was set for the following year, leaving Cameron and Wisher just seven weeks to write the script. Principal photography occurred from October 1990 to March 1991, with filming in and around Los Angeles on an estimated budget of $94–102 million, making it the most expensive film at that time.
The advanced visual effects, produced by Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), included the first use of a computer-generated main character in a blockbuster film, but it caused delays. Theatrical prints were not delivered to cinemas until the night before the movie’s release on July 3, 1991.
Terminator 2 grossed $519–$520.9 million, becoming the highest-grossing film worldwide in 1991 and the third highest-grossing film of its time.
The movie received acclaim for its visual effects and action sequences. Also, the cast, particularly Robert Patrick’s performance as the T-1000, hailed as a formidable cinematic villain. However, some criticism was directed at the film’s level of violence. Terminator 2 received various awards, including Saturn, BAFTA and Academy Awards.
The movie’s merchandise includes video games, comic books, novels and T2-3D: Battle Across Time, a live-action attraction.
Terminator 2 is widely regarded as one of the finest science fiction and action films. It is considered a major influence on the use of visual effects in the film industry, marking the shift from practical effects to computer-generated imagery.
Although Cameron originally intended it as the conclusion to the franchise, it was followed by several sequels, including Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003), Terminator Salvation (2009), Terminator Genisys (2015), and Terminator: Dark Fate (2019), along with a 2008 television series.
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List of Terminator 2 cast
The cast of Terminator 2: Judgment Day includes:
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger, born on July 30, 1947, is an Austrian-American actor, entrepreneur, filmmaker, politician and former professional bodybuilder. He is most renowned for his appearances in prominent action films. He held the position of the 38th Governor of California from 2003 to 2011 and was included in Time Magazine‘s list of the 100 most influential individuals globally in both 2004 and 2007.
Schwarzenegger featured as the “Terminator”, a reprogrammed Model 101 Series 800 “T-800”, in the movie.
Linda Hamilton
Linda Carroll Hamilton, born on September 26, 1956, is an American actress. Renowned for her portrayals of strong and resilient characters, she commenced her film career in 1979 but gained prominence through her lead role as Sarah Connor in The Terminator (1984) and two of its follow-up films, Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) and Terminator: Dark Fate (2019). She featured as “Sarah Connor”, a self-trained soldier dedicated to preventing the rise of Skynet.
Hamilton has been honoured with various awards, including two Saturn Awards, two MTV Movie Awards, one Satellite Award, and one Romy Award. She has also received nominations for three Golden Globes and a Primetime Emmy.
Edward Furlong
Edward Walter Furlong, born on August 2, 1977, is an American actor. His remarkable breakthrough at the age of 13 as “John Connor”, the son of Sarah Connor who is destined to lead the human resistance against Skynet. His performance in Terminator 2: Judgment Day earned him Saturn and MTV Movie Awards. This success was followed by a mini-sequel, a brief attraction film titled T2-3D: Battle Across Time.
In 1992, he starred as “Jeff Bridges” in American Heart, which gained him a nomination for an Independent Spirit Award. Furlong also received a second Saturn Award nomination for his role in Pet Sematary Two.
He secured a Young Artist Award for his performance in A Home of Our Own (1993) and also appeared in Before and After (1996).
Robert Patrick
Robert Hammond Patrick, born on November 5, 1958, is an American actor. He is recognised for his portrayals of antagonists, as well as characters like degenerate gamblers and authority figures. Patrick is a Saturn Award winner and has received four additional nominations.
Patrick’s interest in acting was ignited during a drama class, prompting him to leave college and enter the world of film in 1986. His career took off after a supporting role in Die Hard 2 (1990).
However, he gained significant recognition for his role as the “T-1000”, the primary adversary in Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991). He later made cameo appearances in Wayne’s World (1992) and Last Action Hero (1993).
Earl Boen
Earl Boen (August 8, 1941 – January 5, 2023) was an American actor. He portrayed criminal psychologist, “Dr. Peter Silberman”, in The Terminator (1984), Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991), and Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003).
Boen was also actively involved as a voiceover artiste, voicing characters such as “Mr. Bleakman” in Clifford the Big Red Dog, “Police Chief Kanifky” in Bonkers, “King Terenas Menethil II” in World of Warcraft, Señor Senior and Senior in Kim Possible and “LeChuck” in the Monkey Island series.
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Joe Morton
Joseph Thomas Morton Jr., born on October 18, 1947, is an American actor with a diverse career in stage, television and film. He collaborated with film director John Sayles in
His filmography includes appearances in The Brother from Another Planet (1984), Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991), City of Hope (1991), Of Mice and Men (1992), Speed (1994), Lone Star (1996), Apt Pupil (1998), Blues Brothers 2000 (1998), What Lies Beneath (2000), Ali (2001), Paycheck (2003), Stealth (2005), American Gangster (2007), Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016), Justice League (2017) and Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021).
On television, Morton is known for his role as “Eli Pop”e, Olivia Pope’s father, in Scandal. He won the Primetime Emmy Award for “Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series” in 2014 for this role. He also portrayed Henry Deacon in the TV series Eureka. In 2019, Morton provided the narration for The Water Dancer, written by Ta-Nehisi Coates.
Morton was featured in Terminator 2 as “Miles Bennett Dyson”, the Director of Special Projects at Cyberdyne Systems Corporation
Jenette Goldstein
Jenette Elise Goldstein, born on February 4, 1960, is an American actress. She is notable for her role as “Private Vasquez” in the sci-fi horror film Aliens (1986), which gained her the Saturn Award for “Best Supporting Actress”.
Additionally, she portrayed “Diamondback” in Near Dark (1987). Her other film credits include starring as “Megan Shapiro” in Lethal Weapon 2 (1989) and “Janelle Voight” in Terminator 2 (1991). In Terminator 2, she starred as one of John’s foster parents under the character “Janelle Voight”.
Goldstein also made appearances in Star Trek Generations (1994) and Titanic (1997). She further appeared in two episodes of the television series, Star Trek: Short Treks, in 2019.
Xander Berkeley
Alexander Harper Berkeley, born in 1955, is an American actor. He began his acting career in the early 1980s, during which he has been a part of more than 200 film and television projects. Some of his notable films include Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991), Candyman (1992), Barb Wire (1996), Air Force One (1997), Gattaca (1997) and Shanghai Noon (2000).
Notably, he appeared in the crime drama Heat (1995) after being cast in L.A. Takedown (1989), an earlier version of the film’s script.
On television, he took the lead role in The Booth at the End (2010–2012) and was a regular in the Fox action drama, 24 (2001–03), and The CW action thriller, Nikita (2010–2012).
In guest appearances, Berkeley portrayed “Sheriff Thomas McAllister” on the CBS drama, The Mentalist (2008–13) and “Gregory” in the AMC post-apocalyptic horror series, The Walking Dead (2016–18).
In Terminator 2, Berkeley was the other person who featured as John’s foster parent, under the character “Todd Voight”.
Cástulo Guerra
Cástulo Guerra, born on August 24, 1945, is an Argentine actor who has featured in several American films and television series. His film credits include roles in The Usual Suspects (1995), The Mexican (2001) and The Purge: Anarchy (2014).
He was featured as ‘Enrique Salceda”, Sarah Connor’s best friend, in Terminator 2.
S. Epatha Merkerson
S. Epatha Merkerson, born Sharon Epatha Merkerson on November 28, 1952, is an American actress who has garnered numerous accolades for her remarkable work. Her awards include an Emmy Award, a Golden Globe Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, four NAACP Image Awards, two Obie Awards and two Tony Award nominations.
She is well-known for her role as the NYPD Lieutenant, “Anita Van Buren” in the NBC police procedural drama series, Law & Order. She appeared in 388 episodes of the series.
Additionally, she is recognised for her performances as “Reba the Mail Lady” on Pee-wee’s Playhouse and as “Sharon Goodwin” in the NBC medical drama, Chicago Med.
She featured as “Tarissa”, Dyson’s wife, in Terminator 2.
DeVaughn Walter Nixon
DeVaughn Walter Nixon, born on July 8, 1983, is an American actor. He is recognised for his performances in films like The Bodyguard, Terminator 2: Judgment Day and Sugar Hill.
In addition, he has also appeared in various television series, including Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty, Mackenzie Falls and Marvel’s Runaways.
Nixon featured as Danny’s son in Terminator 2.
Daniel Ray Allen Cooksey Jr.
Daniel Ray Allen Cooksey Jr., born on November 2, 1975, is an American actor and musician. He has gained recognition for his appearances in various television shows, including Diff’rent Strokes (during the final three seasons), The Cavanaughs, Xiaolin Showdown and Salute Your Shorts.
Cooksey is also known for voicing “Montana ‘Monty’ Max” in Tiny Toon Adventures and for his portrayal of a friend to the young “John Connor” in Terminator 2: Judgment Day.
Other characters include:
- Leslie Hamilton Gearren, who appeared as the T-1000 impersonating Sarah.
- Don and Dan Stanton, who starred as guards at Pescadero State Hospital.
- Ken Gibbel, who acted as an abusive orderly.
- Robert Winley, Ron Young, Charles Robert Brown and Pete Schrum, the men who confronted the T-800 in a biker bar.
- Abdul Salaam El Razzac, who starred as Gibbons, a Cyberdyne guard.
- Dean Norris, the SWAT team leader.
- Michael Edwards portrays the John Connor of 2029.
- Hamilton’s infant son, Dalton Abbott, who portrays John in a dream sequence.
- Co-writer William Wisher, who cameos as a man photographing the T-800 in the mall.