
Rebecca Schaeffer
Acting • Born 1967-11-06 – Died 1989-07-18
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.
Filmography
8 credits
Out of Time
Movie • 1988
Pam Wallace

Voyage of Terror: The Achille Lauro Affair
Movie • 1990
Cheryl

Scenes from the Class Struggle in Beverly Hills
Movie • 1989
Zandra

The End of Innocence
Movie • 1990
Stephanie (18-25 years old)

Radio Days
Movie • 1987
Communist's Daughter

My Sister Sam
TV • 1986
Patti Russell

Amazing Stories
TV • 1985
Ms. Crownings

Hollywood Demons
TV • 2025
Self (archive footage)