Hamilton was born in New York City. She attended the Princeton University and later the Tisch School of the Arts in New York University. She starred in the number of theatre productions, including role of the title character in the original stage production of Cornelia, written by Mark V. Olsen. She made her television debut in the episode of NBC legal drama Law & Order in 1997, and as of 2003 began playing regular guest-starring roles, in shows like Star Trek: Enterprise, Nip/Tuck, Ghost Whisperer, Criminal Minds, The Closer, Castle, NCIS, Modern Family and True Blood.