Fame and Obsession: The Murder of Rebecca Schaeffer 

At just 21 years old, actress Rebecca Schaeffer had captured audiences with her warmth, charm, and breakout role on the sitcom My Sister Sam. But on the morning of July 18, 1989, a knock on her Los Angeles apartment door changed everything. 

What unfolded over the next few moments would not only end the life of one of Hollywood’s most promising young stars but it would expose the terrifying reality of celebrity stalking and inspire sweeping changes to privacy and anti-stalking laws across the United States.

Born on November 6, 1967, in Eugene, Oregon, Rebecca was the only child of Danna and Benson Schaeffer. Rebecca was described as a small person with a big personality. Before the start of high school, the Schaeffer’s would move to Portland, Oregon where Rebecca would begin her modeling career. 

Rebecca appeared in multiple store catalogues and local commercials and was even an extra in a made-for-TV movie. In 1984, Rebecca spent the summer in New York City to model with Elite Model Management. She decided to stay in New York to continue her career. While trying to convince her parents to let her stay, Rebecca said, “Sometimes you have to choose between adventure and regret.”

Almost immediately, Rebecca scored roles in a couple of soap operas. She continued to model but was finding more and more success in the world of acting.

Rebecca won her breakout role in the new sitcom, My Sister Sam, and moved back across the country to Los Angeles for filming. The show was an instant hit and audiences were smitten by Rebecca’s wit & charm.

But Hollywood is fickle and My Sister Sam was cancelled halfway through its second season.

Rebecca was not deterred. She successfully made the transition from TV to the big screen after earning supporting roles in several major movies.

She was living her dream: a successful acting career, her own LA apartment, and a serious relationship with film student Brad Silberling.

As her fame grew, her friends in Hollywood warned her of the dangers of celebrity and the fandom. But Rebecca was genuinely excited about her fans. She read and responded personally to each fan letter she received. 

One fan she responded to was Robert John Bardo.

Robert John Bardo was born on January 2, 1970, and was the youngest of seven children. The family moved frequently but eventually settled in Tucson, Arizona. Bardo’s childhood was troubled. After threatening to commit suicide, Bardo was placed in foster care. Bardo would later be diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

Unfortunately, Rebecca was not Bardo’s first stalking victim. Bardo had developed a fixation on peace activist, Samantha Smith. When Samantha was killed in a plane crash, Bardo focused on pop stars Tiffany and Debbie Gibson.

But then one day, he saw a TV promo for My Sister Sam. And there she was. Rebecca Schaeffer. According to Bardo, Rebecca was “outgoing and bubbly and everything.”

After writing several letters to Rebecca, Bardo flew from Tucson to Los Angeles and made it as far as the Warner Bros. Studios security booth before he was turned away. A month later, Bardo returned with a knife and threatened the security guard before being escorted off the premises. Neither incident was reported to police nor was Rebecca notified of the situation.

In 1989, a year after these incidents, Bardo hired a private investigator to track down Rebecca’s home address. For $250, Rebecca’s address was tracked through the California DMV records (which were accessible at the time). With Rebecca’s address & a newly acquired gun, Bardo boarded a Greyhound bus from Tucson to Los Angeles.

After arriving in LA, he canvassed Rebecca’s neighborhood. Once he confirmed her apartment building, Bardo walked up to the entrance and rang the buzzer.

On the morning of July 18, 1989, Rebecca was waiting for the script of The Godfather Part III to be delivered. Hearing the buzzer, Rebecca ran down the stairs eager and excited. 

But upon opening the door, she encountered a disheveled and angry man. Waving a signed photograph of her, he began screaming about betrayal and “losing her innocence” and becoming a “Hollywood whore.” Bardo was angry about her latest role in Scenes from the Class Struggle in Beverly Hills. A role in which Rebecca had a passionate love scene. 

Rebecca was able to get Bardo to leave but just an hour later, he returned. As Rebecca opened the door, Bardo pointed his gun at her chest and fired.

Rebecca Schaeffer was dead at the age of 21.

The Trial of Robert John Bardo

After the murder, Bardo boarded a bus back to Tucson. He was quickly apprehended and extradited back to California. On October 29, 1991, Bardo was found guilty of first degree aggravated murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

After her murder, federal law was enacted to prevent the DMV from releasing personal information. Rebecca’s parents, Danna and Benson, became advocates for gun control safety. Her tragic death also prompted the passing of this country’s first anti-stalking laws.

Feature Image: Fox News