Rebecca Schaeffer, born Rebecca Lucile Schaeffer on November 6, 1967, in Eugene, Oregon, was an American actress and model [1]. She began her career as a teen model before transitioning to acting. Schaeffer gained recognition for her role as Patricia "Patti" Russell in the CBS sitcom My Sister Sam (1986-1988) [1].

Raised in Portland, Oregon, Schaeffer attended Lincoln High School and initially aspired to become a rabbi [1]. However, she began modeling during her junior year and appeared in department store catalogs and television commercials[1]. At 16, she moved to New York City to pursue modeling with Elite Model Management [1]. Schaeffer also had a short-term role on the daytime soap opera Guiding Light and appeared on One Life to Live [1].

In 1986, Schaeffer landed the role in My Sister Sam, which brought her national fame [1]. Despite the show's initial success, it was canceled in 1988. Schaeffer continued her acting career with roles in films such as Scenes from the Class Struggle in Beverly Hills [1].

Tragically, on July 18, 1989, Schaeffer was shot and killed by Robert John Bardo, an obsessed fan who had been stalking her [1]. Her death led to significant changes in laws regarding stalking and privacy, including the creation of the LAPD's Threat Management Unit [2].

Rebecca Schaeffer's legacy continues to impact the entertainment industry and the laws protecting celebrities from stalking [1].