
Personal Info
Known For
Acting
Born
November 6, 1967
Died
July 18, 1989 (age 21)
Place of Birth
Eugene, Oregon, USA
Also Known As
Rebecca Lucile Schaeffer
Rebecca Schaeffer
Biography
Rebecca Lucile Schaeffer was an American actress and model. She began her career as a teen model before moving on to acting. In 1986, she landed the role of Patricia "Patti" Russell in the CBS comedy My Sister Sam. The series was canceled in 1988, and she appeared in several films, including the black comedy Scenes from the Class Struggle in Beverly Hills. At the age of 21, she was shot and killed by Robert John Bardo, a 19-year-old obsessed fan who had been stalking her. Schaeffer’s death helped lead to the passage in California of legislation aimed at preventing stalking.
Known For

TV
Amazing Stories
Ms. Crownings
1985

TV
Hollywood Demons
Self (archive footage)
2025

TV
My Sister Sam
Patti Russell
1986

Film
Radio Days
Communist's Daughter
1987

Film
Scenes from the Class Struggle in Beverly Hills
Zandra
1989

Film
Out of Time
Pam Wallace
1988

Film
Voyage of Terror: The Achille Lauro Affair
Cheryl
1990

Film
The End of Innocence
Stephanie (18-25 years old)
1990
Filmography
2025TVHollywood Demonsas Self (archive footage)1990FilmThe End of Innocenceas Stephanie (18-25 years old)1990FilmVoyage of Terror: The Achille Lauro Affairas Cheryl1989FilmScenes from the Class Struggle in Beverly Hillsas Zandra1988FilmOut of Timeas Pam Wallace1987FilmRadio Daysas Communist's Daughter1986TVMy Sister Samas Patti Russell1985TVAmazing Storiesas Ms. Crownings