Rebecca Eileen Summerhayes (born September 24, 1980) is an American actress. She had her mainstream breakthrough in 1995 with Boardwalkers. She is best known for her "hyperactive, yet deadpan" roles in films such as Oh, What A Night! (1999), Blame It on the Weatherman (2000) and I Can't Believe It (2003). She has also taken dramatic roles in films such as The Shadow (2009). She played a lead role in the RKO Network sitcom South of Something from 1999 to 2005. Since 2021, she has starred in the Applause comedy-drama series Bouquets.
Early life[]
Rebecca Summerhayes was born on September 24, 1980 in Mannheim, West Germany. Her mother, Francine Chelsea Summerhayes (née Bronikowski), is originally from Chicago and is a prize-winning botanist and flower breeder, having created an award-winning hybrid orchid in 2003 which she named after Rebecca. Her father, Dennis Summerhayes, is originally from Rock Hill, South Carolina and was in the United States Army at the time of her birth, and later became a private security guard upon his discharge. Her father is of English, Irish, Scottish, Navajo and Spanish ancestry and her mother is of Polish descent. Her parents met in high school in Berwyn, Illinois, and her mother joined her father when he joined the United States Army. She has three younger sisters, Vanessa, Jo and Katie, who also became actresses.
Rebecca and her sister Vanessa began entering talent shows while their family was stationed at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii. When her father was discharged, she and her sister convinced their parents to move to California so they could pursue acting. In 1990, the Summerhayes family moved to Los Angeles County, California, settling in Culver City, and Rebecca and Vanessa began appearing in commercials and bit roles.
She attended the Westridge School in Pasadena, California.
Career[]
1990–1995: Early acting credits and early success[]
After moving to California, Summerhayes' mother booked her first role: a bit role on an episode of Who's the Smartest?.
1995–1999: Breakthrough[]
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1999–2010: South of Something and continued success[]
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2010-present: Recent projects[]
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Personal life[]
Summerhayes stated in a 2010 interview that "I've tried to go vegan, but I can't stick at it. I really keep having doubts over how practical a vegan diet is."
In August 2007, Summerhayes became engaged to Tensor vocalist and lead guitarist Craig Synnes. They married on October 2, 2008 in Scottsdale, Arizona. They are known for mostly being quiet about their personal life together.
Summerhayes and her husband are members of the United Church of Christ.
Political views[]
Summerhayes supported Bernie Sanders in the 2016 and 2020 Democractic Party presidential primaries.