Robert John Bardo Biography: Controversies, Arrest, Wikipedia, Age, Parents, Siblings, Net Worth, Sentence

Robert John Bardo is an American convicted murderer currently serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole following his conviction for the July 18, 1989, murder of actress and model Rebecca Schaeffer.

Bardo had developed an obsessive fixation on Schaeffer after watching her on the television series My Sister Sam and had been stalking her for approximately three years prior to the crime.

Before targeting Schaeffer, he had also exhibited similar behavior toward child peace activist Samantha Smith.

Profile

• Full Name: Robert John Bardo
• Stage Name: Robert John Bardo
• Born: 2 January 1970
• Age: 55 years old
• Birthplace: Edwards Air Force Base, California, United States
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: American convicted murderer
• Height: Unknown
• Parent: Mr. and Mrs. Bardo
• Siblings: Edward Bardo
• Spouse: Unknown
• Children: Unknown
• Relationship: Not Married
• Net Worth: Unknown

Early Life And Education

Robert John Bardo was born on January 2, 1970, at Edwards Air Force Base in California, United States. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Bardo; while their full names remain undisclosed, it is known that his father served as a non-commissioned officer in the United States Air Force. Bardo has one sibling, a brother named Edward Bardo.

During his adolescence, Bardo experienced significant emotional challenges, leading to his institutionalization at the age of 15. He subsequently dropped out of Pueblo Magnet High School during the ninth grade. Bardo is of mixed ethnicity, with a Japanese mother and a father of presumed Caucasian American descent. His religious affiliations are not publicly known.

Career

Robert John Bardo did not pursue a traditional career; his notoriety stems entirely from his criminal actions. The youngest of seven children in a family with a history of mental illness, Bardo experienced a turbulent upbringing, including abuse, frequent relocations due to his father’s military career, and early signs of emotional instability. By age 15, he was institutionalized for psychological issues and dropped out of high school, later working briefly as a janitor.

Before committing his infamous crime, Bardo displayed troubling behavior, including stalking celebrities and sending them letters. His first known fixation was on child peace activist Samantha Smith, and after her untimely death, he turned his attention to actress Rebecca Schaeffer. Bardo became obsessed, going so far as to hire a private investigator who accessed Schaeffer‘s home address through DMV records—an act that would later raise serious concerns about privacy laws.

On July 18, 1989, Bardo confronted Schaeffer at her Los Angeles apartment, posing as a fan. After being turned away, he returned an hour later and fatally shot her. He was arrested the next day in Tucson, Arizona. The high-profile case, prosecuted by Marcia Clark, drew national attention to the issue of celebrity stalking.

Despite a defense centered on his mental illness—specifically schizophrenia—Bardo was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life without parole. His crime led to landmark changes, including the introduction of anti-stalking legislation and stricter controls on access to personal information. He is currently serving his sentence at Avenal State Prison.

Social Media

Robert John Bardo does not have social media accounts.

Personal Life

Robert John Bardo has no publicly known relationships, spouse, or children. He is known solely for his criminal actions, particularly the 1989 murder of actress Rebecca Schaeffer, and there is no record of any marital or parental status associated with him.

Net Worth

Robert John Bardo has no known net worth or legal source of income, as he has been serving a life sentence without parole since 1991. Before his incarceration, he held brief low-wage jobs and had no established career or financial assets.