A graduate of the Juilliard School's drama division, Hamilton's extensive theater credits include Measure for Measure at the New York Shakespeare Theater Festival, where she appeared opposite Kevin Kline and Andre Braugher. She also starred in the original Broadway company of August Wilson's The Piano Lesson, and earned the Ovation nomination for Best Actress for her work in Athol Fugard's play Valley Song at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles. That performance also won her an Obie Award, the Clarence Derwent Award, and a Drama Desk nomination.
Hamilton's other television work includes appearances on Law & Order and Homicide: Life on the Street. Her film credits include Quentin Tarantino's Jackie Brown, Beloved, and True Crime.