Rebecca Luker was a distinguished American actress, singer, and recording artist, recognized for her ‘crystal clear operatic soprano’ and for her extended performances in Broadway musicals throughout her three-decade career. The New York Times likened her to renowned actresses like Barbara Cook and Julie Andrews.
Early Life & Education
Rebecca Luker was born on April 17, 1961, in Birmingham, Alabama. She is the daughter of Martha (Baggett), a high school treasurer, and Norse Doak Luker, Jr., a construction worker.
Luker grew up in the suburb of Helena and later attended the University of Montevallo, where she obtained a BA in music. In 1984, she took a year off to perform the role of Johanna Barker in Sweeney Todd at the Michigan Opera Theatre.
Rebecca Luker’s Career
In 1988, Luker made her Broadway debut in The Phantom of the Opera, taking on the role of Christine from 1988 to 1991. She began as an understudy for the principal actress, Sarah Brightman, and her alternate, Patti Cohenour.
After both Brightman and Cohenour exited the production, Luker stepped into the role, performing alongside Cris Groenendaal and Steve Barton as the Phantom.
Rebecca Luker made her Off-Broadway debut in productions such as The Vagina Monologues, Indian Summer, X (Life of Malcolm X), Brigadoon, Death Takes a Holiday, and Can’t Let Go.
In 2002, the Kennedy Center hosted a ‘Sondheim Celebration’ where Luker portrayed Clara in Passion. Additionally, she participated in the New York City Center Encores! concert performances of The Boys from Syracuse and Where’s Charley?.
Her television credits encompass Boardwalk Empire, The Good Wife, Matlock, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and the Hallmark film Cupid & Cate.
She also featured in the 2012 movie Not Fade Away. On January 11, 2016, Rebecca Luker returned to her role as Lily in The Secret Garden during a benefit performance at the Lucille Lortel Theatre.
In 2001, Rebecca Luker, Truman Capote, and the cinematic adaptation of To Kill a Mockingbird were all honored with induction into the Alabama Stage and Screen Hall of Fame. Additionally, she was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts on May 5, 2010, from her alma mater, the University of Montevallo.
Personal Life
In 1993, Rebecca Luker married Gregory Jbara, but their marriage ended in divorce in 1996. Later, in June 2000, she married Danny Burstein, taking on the role of stepmother to his children, Zachary and Alexander.
Cause of Death
On February 9, 2020, Rebecca Luker revealed her diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), which she had received in late 2019. In June 2020, she was still able to sing while hosting a livestreamed benefit for ALS.
However, by October, the progression of the disease had reached a stage where she had lost the ability to speak loudly due to the absence of diaphragm function.
At that time, she had been using a wheelchair for seven months. Luker passed away from ALS at a Manhattan hospital on December 23, 2020, at the age of 59.
