Rebecca Luker was a highly acclaimed American performer, known for her exceptional skills as an actress, vocalist, and recording artist. Her voice, often described as an operatic soprano of exceptional clarity, made her a standout in the world of Broadway musicals over the course of her three-decade career. The New York Times compared her talent to that of esteemed performers such as Barbara Cook and Julie Andrews.
Early Life & Education
Rebecca Luker hails from Birmingham, Alabama, where she was born on April 17, 1961. Her parents, Martha Baggett, who served as a high school treasurer, and Norse Doak Luker, Jr., a construction worker, were her proud guardians.
Born in Helena’s suburbs, Luker spent her youth there before moving on to study music at the University of Montevallo, earning a Bachelor’s degree. In 1984, she temporarily paused her academic journey to portray Johanna Barker in Sweeney Todd at the Michigan Opera Theatre for a year.
Rebecca Luker’s Career
1988 marked the first time Luker graced the Broadway stage in The Phantom of the Opera. From 1988 to 1991, she played the role of Christine, initially serving as an understudy for the lead actress, Sarah Brightman, and her backup, Patti Cohenour.
Following the departure of both Brightman and Cohenour, Luker took over the role in the play. She then performed with Cris Groenendaal and Steve Barton who portrayed the Phantom.
Or, more concisely: After Brightman and Cohenour left the production, Luker stepped into the role and acted alongside Cris Groenendaal and Steve Barton as the Phantom.
As a devoted theater enthusiast, I had the pleasure of witnessing Rebecca Luker’s Off-Broadway debut in various captivating productions. These included The Vagina Monologues, Indian Summer, X (Life of Malcolm X), Brigadoon, Death Takes a Holiday, and Can’t Let Go. Each performance left an indelible mark on me, showcasing her exceptional talent and versatility on stage.
Back in 2002, I had the privilege of being a part of some unforgettable shows at the Kennedy Center. One role that still stands out to me was Clara in Passion. It was an incredible experience to bring this character to life as part of their Sondheim Celebration. On top of that, I also got to join the ensemble for The Boys from Syracuse and Where’s Charley? at the New York City Center Encores! concerts. Those performances will always hold a special place in my heart.
I’ve got quite a resume under my belt, having starred in shows like Boardwalk Empire, The Good Wife, Matlock, and Law & Order: SVU. Not to mention, I also had the pleasure of being part of the Hallmark movie Cupid & Cate.
In addition, she appeared in the 2012 film “Not Fade Away”. Moreover, on January 11, 2016, Rebecca Luker reprised her character Lily in “The Secret Garden” during a charity performance at the Lucille Lortel Theatre.
2001 saw Rebecca Luker, Truman Capote, and the film version of To Kill a Mockingbird being recognized and inducted into the Alabama Hall of Fame for Stage and Screen. Moreover, she received an honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from the University of Montevallo on May 5, 2010, her former educational institution.
Personal Life
Back in 1993, I was fortunate enough to tie the knot with Gregory Jbara, but unfortunately, our marriage didn’t last long and ended in a divorce by 1996. Fast forward to June 2000, I found myself walking down the aisle again, this time with Danny Burstein. With this union, I embraced the beautiful role of stepmother to his two wonderful sons, Zachary and Alexander.
Cause of Death
On February 9, 2020, Rebecca Luker publicly shared that she had been diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) towards the end of 2019. Despite her diagnosis, she was still able to perform and host a live-streamed fundraiser for ALS in June 2020.
By October, her illness had advanced significantly enough that she could no longer speak with a strong voice because her diaphragm was no longer functioning properly.
By October, her disease had progressed to the point where she struggled to talk loudly as her diaphragm was no longer working effectively.
In October, her illness got worse and she couldn’t speak loudly anymore because her body part responsible for loud breathing wasn’t working properly. (Assuming that the reader is familiar with the term “diaphragm” in a biological context)
For nearly seven months prior, she was reliant on a wheelchair due to her condition. Tragically, Luker succumbed to ALS at a hospital in Manhattan on the 23rd of December, 2020, having reached the age of 59.
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2025-06-21 14:26