Linda Eder was born in Tucson, Arizona on February 3, 1961 to Georg (from Austria) and Leila (from Norway). She grew up in Brainerd, Minnesota. When she was 16, she started her professional singing career, singing at Holiday Inns with a high school friend. She was later a contestant on Star Search and won 12 weeks in a row. A tape of her voice was sent to composer Frank Wildhorn who was beginning to create a Broadway musical of the story of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. When he heard her voice he knew he had found his leading lady. After about 10 years, "Jekyll and Hyde" was finally ready for Broadway. In April of 1997 it opened on Broadway and ran for about 3 years. Linda played Lucy Harris for all of J&H's touring and for a year on Broadway. She and Frank were married and Linda continued to record albums and go on tour. On August 23, 1999, Linda gave birth to a son named Jake Ryan Wildhorn. She can be seen on "My Favorite Broadway: The Leading Ladies" and "My Favorite Broadway: The Love Songs". She can be heard on her 6 solo albums: "Linda Eder", "And So Much More", "It's Time", "It's No Secret Anymore", "Christmas Stays the Same" and the recently released "By Myself: the Songs of Judy Garland". She can also be heard on every recording of "Jekyll and Hyde", as well as "The Civil War" and the concept recording of "The Scarlet Pimpernel", and "The Scarlet Pimpernel: Encore".


Her step-son (from Frank's previous marriage) is named Justin. Her baby (born August 23, 1999) is named Jake Ryan Wildhorn. Her mom, Leila, is from Norway. Her dad, Georg, is from Austria. Theatre World Award winner for best debut performance, 1996-1997, as Lucy Harris in Broadway's "Jekyll & Hyde".