Rodney Alcala American serial killer Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/biography/Rodney-Alcala Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Feedback Type Select a type (Required) Factual Correction Spelling/Grammar Correction Link Correction Additional Information Other Your Feedback Submit Feedback Thank you for your feedback Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

　　External Websites Ask the Chatbot a Question Also known as: John Berger Written by Fred Frommer Fred Frommer is a sports historian, author, and writer who has written for a host of national publications. Fred Frommer Fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Last Updated: Aug 15, 2025 • Article History Table of Contents Table of Contents Ask the Chatbot Quick Facts Born: August 23, 1943, San Antonio, Texas, U.S. (Show more) Died: July 24, 2021, Corcoran, California (Show more) { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " Why was Rodney Alcala called the u201CDating Game Killeru201D? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Rodney Alcala was called the u201CDating Game Killeru201D because he appeared on the popular TV show The Dating Game in 1978. By that time he had committed multiple murders and was on the FBIu2019s Most Wanted list, a fact that was unknown to producers." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What was Rodney Alcala convicted of? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Rodney Alcala was convicted in the murders of six women and one girl between 1971 and 1979, but the number of his victims could be as high as 130." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What film is based on Rodney Alcalau2019s story? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "The 2023 Netflix film Woman of the Hour is based on the story of Cheryl Bradshaw, the woman who appeared on The Dating Game with Rodney Alcala but who ultimately declined to go on a date with him because of what she described as u201Cweird vibes.u201D" } } ] } Top Questions Why was Rodney Alcala called the “Dating Game Killer”? Rodney Alcala was called the “Dating Game Killer” because he appeared on the popular TV show The Dating Game in 1978. By that time he had committed multiple murders and was on the FBI’s Most Wanted list, a fact that was unknown to producers.

　　What was Rodney Alcala convicted of? Rodney Alcala was convicted in the murders of six women and one girl between 1971 and 1979, but the number of his victims could be as high as 130.

　　What film is based on Rodney Alcala’s story? The 2023 Netflix film Woman of the Hour is based on the story of Cheryl Bradshaw, the woman who appeared on The Dating Game with Rodney Alcala but who ultimately declined to go on a date with him because of what she described as “weird vibes.”

　　Rodney Alcala (born August 23, 1943, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.—died July 24, 2021, Corcoran, California) was an American serial killer known as the “Dating Game Killer” because of his 1978 appearance on the popular TV show, whose producers were not aware of his multiple gruesome murders. His story was dramatized in the 2024 Netflix film Woman of the Hour, starring and directed by Anna Kendrick. Alcala was convicted in the murders of six women and one girl between 1971 and 1979, but the actual number of his victims has been estimated as high as 130. Alcala was born Rodrigo Jacques ...(100 of 923 words)

　　Unlock the full article Access our trusted destination for facts and information 7-Day Free Trial, No Ads, Unlimited Access, Exclusive Content Subscribe Today