5 Chilling Facts About Cheryl Bradshaw And Rodney Alcala: The Date That Saved A Life

The story of Cheryl Bradshaw and Rodney Alcala is one of the most terrifying and compelling chapters in modern true crime history, gaining renewed attention in late 2024 and 2025 following the release of a major motion picture. The chilling 1978 encounter on a popular television show, The Dating Game, where a young woman unknowingly selected a prolific serial killer as her prize, remains a stark reminder of the evil that can hide in plain sight. This deep dive explores the current context of the case, the complete profile of the killer, and the extraordinary intuition that saved Cheryl Bradshaw’s life.

The recent dramatization of the event has brought the details of the "Dating Game Killer" back into the public consciousness, forcing a closer look at the unsettling charm Alcala used to mask his horrific crimes. Alcala’s death in 2021 closed the chapter on his legal battles, but the chilling details of his near-date with Bradshaw continue to fascinate and horrify true crime enthusiasts worldwide.

The Complete Profile of Rodney "The Dating Game Killer" Alcala

Rodney Alcala, known infamously as "The Dating Game Killer," was a convicted rapist and serial killer whose criminal career spanned the 1970s. His appearance on a popular television show, while actively engaged in a killing spree, is what cemented his place in true crime lore.

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His victims were primarily women whom he would lure, rape, and murder, often posing their bodies afterward. Authorities believe his actual victim count could be as high as 130, making him one of the most prolific serial killers in American history.

• Full Name: Rodrigo Jacques Alcala Buquor (later Rodney James Alcala)
• Nickname: The Dating Game Killer
• Date of Birth: August 23, 1943
• Place of Birth: San Antonio, Texas
• Date of Death: July 24, 2021
• Place of Death: California State Prison, Corcoran, California
• Cause of Death: Natural Causes
• Convictions: Sentenced to death for the murders of five women in California: Jill Barcomb, Georgia Wixted, Charlotte Lamb, Jill Parenteau, and Enid Alvardo. He was later convicted of two additional murders in New York.
• Aliases: John Berger, John Burger

Alcala was a seemingly charming and intelligent man, even earning a degree from UCLA and attending film school at NYU, which allowed him to blend into society and evade suspicion for years.

The Chilling 1978 Episode of The Dating Game and Cheryl's Intuition

In September 1978, Rodney Alcala appeared as "Bachelor Number 1" on the popular television show, The Dating Game. The bachelorette that day was Cheryl Bradshaw, a young drama teacher and aspiring actress from Los Angeles.

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The format of the show involved Bradshaw asking questions to three hidden bachelors before selecting one for an all-expenses-paid date. Alcala's on-air persona was witty, smooth, and slightly edgy, appealing to the audience and the bachelorette.

During the episode, Alcala made several unsettling comments that, in retrospect, take on a sinister meaning. He described himself as a "secretive" person and, when asked what he liked to do, he replied, "I like to go out to dinner, dancing, and I love to take pictures." This seemingly innocuous hobby was later revealed to be a key element of his crimes, as he was known for taking hundreds of photographs of his victims before and after their murders.

Despite his charm, Bradshaw ultimately chose Alcala. However, when the screen rolled back and she met him face-to-face backstage, her initial excitement turned to dread.

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What Happened to Cheryl Bradshaw After Her Near-Fatal Date?

Cheryl Bradshaw’s story is a profound example of the power of intuition. After meeting Alcala in person, she immediately felt a powerful sense of unease. She described him as "creepy" and recalled a bad "vibe" that she simply could not ignore.

She made the life-saving decision to refuse the date. She told the show's producers that she would not go out with him, effectively saving herself from becoming another one of the Dating Game Killer's victims.

Alcala was arrested in 1979 for the murder of 12-year-old Robin Samsoe, a crime that occurred shortly after his television appearance. It was only after his arrest that the full scope of his horrific crimes began to emerge, and the public—and Cheryl Bradshaw—realized just how close she had come to death.

For decades, Bradshaw's story remained a significant, yet sometimes overlooked, detail in the Alcala case. Her experience was recently thrust back into the spotlight with the 2023 release of the Netflix film, Woman of the Hour, starring Anna Kendrick.

The film, which focuses on Bradshaw's perspective, highlights the importance of listening to one's gut feeling, particularly for women navigating the dangers of dating. The renewed interest in the case has solidified Cheryl Bradshaw’s status not as a victim, but as a survivor whose quick thinking served as a powerful lesson for generations.

The Enduring Legacy of The Dating Game Killer Case

Rodney Alcala was sentenced to death in Orange County, California, in 2010 for five murders, a culmination of decades of legal proceedings and appeals. His death in 2021 brought a definitive end to his life on death row, but it did not close the book on his crimes.

The investigation into Alcala's photo collection—containing over 1,000 images of young women and children—continues to this day, with authorities hoping to identify more potential victims. This vast collection of morbid "trophies" is perhaps the most disturbing element of the entire case, suggesting a far wider trail of destruction than the seven murders for which he was convicted.

The story of Rodney Alcala and Cheryl Bradshaw remains one of the most compelling cautionary tales in true crime, symbolizing the terror of a predator operating in plain sight. It serves as a constant reminder that even in the most seemingly innocent settings—like a television dating show—danger can lurk just behind the curtain. The legacy of the case is a testament to the lives lost and the life saved by a simple, yet powerful, moment of intuition.