The Chilling True Story: 5 Facts About Cheryl Bradshaw And The Serial Killer She Almost Dated

The name Cheryl Bradshaw has surged back into the global spotlight as of December 10, 2025, following the intense public interest generated by the true-crime film *Woman of the Hour*. The movie, starring and directed by Anna Kendrick, chronicles the terrifying real-life events of an aspiring actress who, on a 1978 episode of the popular TV show *The Dating Game*, unknowingly chose a man who would later be identified as one of America's most prolific serial killers: Rodney Alcala.

This article delves into the harrowing details of the real Cheryl Bradshaw—not the New York Times bestselling author of the same name—and explores the chilling twist of fate that saved her life, the enduring mystery of her life after the show, and how her story continues to captivate the true crime world decades later.

Biographical Profile: The Dating Game Contestant

The Cheryl Bradshaw whose life was forever altered by a television appearance in 1978 was an ambitious young woman in Los Angeles. Her story is a stark reminder of the hidden dangers that lurked beneath the surface of the seemingly innocent 1970s dating scene.

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• Full Name: Cheryl Bradshaw
• Known Occupation (1978): Aspiring Actress and Drama Teacher
• Key Event: Appearance on *The Dating Game* in September 1978
• Co-Contestant: Bachelor Number One, Rodney Alcala
• Post-Show Status: Reportedly left California to live a private life and raise a family; current whereabouts are unknown.
• Cultural Legacy: Subject of the 2024 film *Woman of the Hour*, where she is portrayed by Anna Kendrick.

1. The Fateful 1978 Appearance on *The Dating Game*

In the fall of 1978, Cheryl Bradshaw was selected to be the bachelorette on the popular ABC game show, *The Dating Game*. The premise of the show was simple: a contestant would ask questions of three unseen bachelors and choose one for a chaperoned date.

On the September 13, 1978, episode, Bradshaw’s three choices were Bachelor Number One, Two, and Three. Bachelor Number One was Rodney Alcala, a seemingly charming photographer who had previously appeared on the show and even won a date in 1977.

Alcala, known for his unsettling questions and demeanor even during the taping, was the man Bradshaw ultimately chose for the date. The audience cheered, unaware they had just witnessed a chilling moment in true crime history.

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2. The "Creepy" Gut Feeling That Saved Her Life

Despite choosing Alcala as the winner, Bradshaw never went on the date. She later confessed to a friend that she had a deeply unsettling "creepy" feeling about him backstage.

Alcala's behavior reportedly grew strange and aggressive once the cameras stopped rolling. Bradshaw told a friend that she simply couldn't go through with it, a decision that almost certainly saved her life from the man who would become known as the "Dating Game Killer."

This instinctive decision is the central, pivotal moment of her story, highlighting the importance of listening to one's intuition, especially in high-stakes situations.

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3. Rodney Alcala: The True Identity of Bachelor Number One

Rodney Alcala was not just a strange contestant; he was an active, predatory serial killer. At the time of his appearance on *The Dating Game*, he was already a convicted sex offender and was in the midst of a murder spree that spanned California and New York.

His victims were predominantly young women and girls, and the total number of his murders remains unknown, though authorities estimate it could be as high as 130. He was convicted of seven murders and died in prison in 2021.

The revelation that a serial killer had been featured on a popular prime-time dating show sent shockwaves through the American public, forever linking Cheryl Bradshaw’s name to one of the most terrifying true crime events of the 1970s.

4. The Impact on Her Life and Her Retreat to Privacy

The trauma of realizing she had been face-to-face with a monster and had narrowly escaped death led Cheryl Bradshaw to make a dramatic life change. She was an aspiring actress and drama teacher in California, hoping for a break in Hollywood.

However, after the news of Alcala’s crimes broke, she reportedly chose to leave her public life behind. The most current reports indicate that she left California and deliberately sought a life of extreme privacy, successfully maintaining a low profile for decades to raise a family away from the spotlight.

Her decision to disappear from public view is a powerful statement on the lasting psychological impact of a near-fatal encounter with a serial killer. For the real Cheryl Bradshaw, privacy became the ultimate form of self-preservation.

5. The Legacy: *Woman of the Hour* and Renewed Public Interest

Decades after the event, Cheryl Bradshaw's story found a new and massive audience with the release of the 2024 true-crime thriller, *Woman of the Hour*. The film, directed by and starring Anna Kendrick, puts Bradshaw's perspective at the center of the narrative, highlighting her bravery and the skepticism she faced from producers when she tried to cancel the date.

The film’s success has reignited public curiosity about the real woman. While her current whereabouts remain unknown—a testament to her commitment to a private life—the film ensures her legacy is not one of a victim, but of a survivor whose intuition saved her from a terrible fate.

It is important to note that the name "Cheryl Bradshaw" is also shared by a highly successful and prolific New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of mystery and thriller novels, who continues to release new books in 2025 and 2026, including titles in her popular Sloane Monroe series.

However, it is the chilling, life-altering experience of the *Dating Game* contestant that continues to resonate most powerfully, solidifying her place as a cautionary figure in true crime history. Her story serves as a powerful reminder that sometimes, the most important choice is the one you *don't* make.