5 Chilling Facts About Rodney Alcala: The 'Dating Game' Killer Who Won A Date While On A Murder Spree

The story of Rodney Alcala, the infamous "Dating Game Killer," continues to captivate and horrify the public, particularly in light of the recent attention brought by the Netflix film 'Woman of the Hour.' This chilling case serves as a stark reminder of the deceptive nature of evil, as a charming, seemingly normal contestant on a popular 1970s TV show was, in reality, a prolific serial killer in the midst of a brutal murder spree. The sheer audacity of his appearance on national television, winning a date with an unsuspecting bachelorette, cemented his place as one of the most disturbing figures in true crime history.

As of December 2025, the discussion around Alcala has shifted from his life and trials to his enduring legacy of terror, his death in 2021, and the ongoing efforts to identify the victims in his vast collection of over 1,000 photographs. His appearance on *The Dating Game* in 1978 was a terrifying moment of intersection between pop culture and pure menace, and the details surrounding that episode are as shocking today as they were decades ago.

Rodney James Alcala: A Profile in Deception and Death

Rodney James Alcala, known by the chilling moniker "The Dating Game Killer," was one of the most prolific and cunning serial killers in American history. His ability to blend into society, even appearing on national television, is a key element of his disturbing profile. Below is a detailed look at the man behind the mask.

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• Full Name: Rodney James Alcala
• Aliases: John Berger, John Burger
• Born: August 23, 1943, in San Antonio, Texas
• Died: July 24, 2021 (Age 77)
• Cause of Death: Natural causes (cancer-related) at a hospital near California's Corcoran State Prison
• Convictions: Convicted of seven murders, though authorities estimate his true victim count could be as high as 130.
• Key Crimes: Sexual assault, kidnapping, and murder, primarily targeting women and young girls.
• Status: Condemned inmate on California Death Row until his death.
• Profession: Studied film at NYU; worked as a photographer, which he used to lure many of his victims.

Alcala's criminal history began long before his TV appearance. In 1968, he was arrested for the brutal sexual assault and attempted murder of 8-year-old Tali Shapiro in Hollywood. He fled to New York, where he studied under Roman Polanski, before eventually returning to California, where his murder spree escalated.

The Infamous 1978 'Dating Game' Appearance

The moment Rodney Alcala walked onto the set of *The Dating Game* in 1978 is arguably the most infamous crossover between a serial killer and mainstream entertainment. At the time, he was actively involved in his murder spree, having already killed several women, including 12-year-old Robin Samsoe.

Appearing as "Bachelor Number One," Alcala's demeanor was described as charismatic, albeit odd. He answered the bachelorette's questions with unsettling, suggestive, and sometimes bizarre double entendres.

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• The Bachelorette: The woman who would choose Alcala was Cheryl Bradshaw.
• The Outcome: Alcala won the date, beating out the other two bachelors.
• The Escape: In a twist of fate that likely saved her life, Bradshaw found Alcala "creepy" and "smarmy" backstage after the show. She refused to go on the date with him, citing his unsettling behavior and "weird vibes."

This appearance, which aired just months after Alcala had murdered Georgia Wixted and shortly before he abducted and killed Robin Samsoe, gave him a temporary veneer of normalcy. It highlights the terrifying reality that serial killers often hide in plain sight, capable of presenting a charming facade to the world.

The Hidden Victims and the Chilling Photograph Collection

While Alcala was ultimately convicted of the murders of seven individuals, the true scope of his crimes remains a devastating unknown. Authorities believe his victim count could be over 100, a terrifying possibility underscored by one of the most shocking discoveries in the case: his personal collection of photographs.

When police searched a storage locker belonging to Alcala, they found over 1,000 photographs of young women, girls, and even boys. Many of the subjects were posing innocently, while others appeared to be sleeping or in suggestive, compromising positions.

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The release of these photographs by the Huntington Beach Police Department in 2010 led to an international effort to identify the subjects, with the hope of linking Alcala to cold cases across the country. This collection is considered a macabre "trophy room" and has been instrumental in connecting Alcala to additional crimes, including the 1977 murder of Jill Barcomb and the 1978 murder of Charlotte Lamb.

The list of Alcala's confirmed victims includes:

• Robin Samsoe (12): Abducted and murdered in 1979 in Huntington Beach. The discovery of earrings belonging to Robin in Alcala's possession was a key piece of evidence that led to his conviction.
• Jill Barcomb (18): Murdered in 1977.
• Georgia Wixted (27): Murdered in 1977.
• Charlotte Lamb (32): Murdered in 1978.
• Jill Parenteau (21): Murdered in 1979.
• Carmen Colon (Ages Unconfirmed): Murdered in New York in the 1970s.
• Ellen Hover (23): Murdered in New York in the 1970s.

Alcala's method often involved sexual assault and strangulation, and he was known to re-pose the bodies of his victims after death, a signature of his sadistic nature. His conviction for the murder of Robin Samsoe was overturned twice before finally being upheld, illustrating the complex and decades-long legal battle to bring him to justice.

The Enduring Legacy in Pop Culture and True Crime

The fascination with Alcala's case has seen a recent resurgence, largely due to the 2023 Netflix film, *Woman of the Hour*, directed by and starring Anna Kendrick.

The film, which focuses on the harrowing experience of Cheryl Bradshaw and the events surrounding the 1978 episode, has brought the story to a new generation. However, the film's release was not without controversy. One of Alcala's survivors, Tali Shapiro, criticized the film for potentially re-traumatizing victims by centering the narrative on the killer's celebrity moment.

Despite the ethical debates, the film has had a positive effect: it has prompted a renewed conversation about women's safety and the importance of trusting one's instincts, with many women on platforms like TikTok sharing advice inspired by Bradshaw's decision to refuse the date.

The case of Rodney Alcala remains a foundational, terrifying example in the study of serial murder. His death in 2021 closed the door on his life, but the identification process for the unknown women in his photography collection continues. The enduring fear is that somewhere among those 1,000-plus photos are the faces of dozens of other victims whose stories are yet to be told, ensuring the 'Dating Game' Killer's dark legacy will continue to haunt the true crime world for years to come.