Rebecca Schaeffer was an American actress and model born on November 6, 1967, in Eugene, Oregon. She began her career as a teen model before transitioning to acting. Rebecca Schaeffer is best known for her role as Patricia "Patti" Russell in the CBS comedy series "My Sister Sam," which aired from 1986 to 1988. Her career also included appearances in films such as "Scenes from the Class Struggle in Beverly Hills" and "Radio Days."

Tragically, her life was cut short at the age of 21 when she was shot and killed by an obsessed fan, Robert John Bardo, on July 18, 1989. Her death led to significant changes in California's laws regarding stalking and the protection of personal information.

Rebecca Schaeffer was raised in Portland, Oregon, and attended Lincoln High School. She was the only child of Danna Schaeffer, a writer and instructor, and Dr. Benson Schaeffer, a child psychologist. Initially aspiring to become a rabbi, she began modeling during her junior year in high school and later moved to New York City to pursue her modeling career.

Rebecca Schaeffer was also a spokesperson for Thursday's Child, a charity for at-risk teens. Her untimely death not only highlighted the need for better protection for celebrities but also led to the creation of the LAPD's Threat Management Unit, the first police team in the United States to focus on stalking cases.