The Chilling True Story Of Rodney And Sheryl: 5 Facts About The Dating Game Killer And Cheryl Bradshaw's Near-Miss
The story of Rodney and Sheryl (Cheryl Bradshaw) has captivated true-crime audiences for decades, but it has seen a massive resurgence in public interest as of late (December 2025), thanks to the widely discussed Netflix film, Woman of the Hour. This chilling account is not a fictional thriller; it is the terrifying true-life near-miss of a woman who unknowingly picked one of America’s most prolific serial killers as her date on national television.
The man in question was Rodney Alcala, a contestant with a charming façade and a sinister secret. The woman was Cheryl Bradshaw, a hopeful bachelorette whose intuition saved her life. This article dives deep into the biographies of both key figures, the harrowing details of the infamous 1978 encounter, and the ultimate fate of the "Dating Game Killer."
Rodney Alcala and Cheryl Bradshaw: Complete Biographical Profiles
The two individuals at the heart of this notorious true-crime event represent one of the most stark contrasts in criminal history: a predator concealing his true nature and a young woman whose gut feeling became her greatest defense.
Rodney James Alcala (The "Dating Game Killer")
- Full Name: Rodney James Alcala (also used aliases John Berger, John Burger)
- Born: August 23, 1943, in San Antonio, Texas
- Died: July 24, 2021, at age 78, while awaiting execution at a California state prison
- Occupation: Serial Killer, convicted rapist, and photographer. He briefly attended UCLA film school.
- Key Crimes: Convicted of 7 murders (six women and one girl) between 1971 and 1979 in California and New York.
- Estimated Victims: Investigators estimate his true victim count could be as high as 130, making him one of the most prolific serial killers in U.S. history.
- The Dating Game Appearance: Appeared on the show in September 1978, winning a date with Cheryl Bradshaw.
Cheryl Bradshaw (The Contestant)
- Full Name: Cheryl Bradshaw (sometimes mistakenly referred to as Sheryl in some media, including the user's query)
- Born: Circa 1953 (Age 24 at the time of the show)
- Occupation: Aspiring actress and model at the time of the show.
- Key Event: Chosen by Rodney Alcala on *The Dating Game* in 1978.
- Aftermath: She famously refused to go on the date with Alcala, citing his "creepy" and "weird" behavior backstage, a decision that almost certainly saved her life.
- Current Status: Bradshaw has largely remained private since the event, only occasionally speaking out. Her current life and location are kept confidential.
The Infamous 1978 Dating Game Episode: A Near-Fatal Choice
The episode of *The Dating Game* featuring Rodney Alcala aired in September 1978. The premise of the show involved a bachelorette, Cheryl Bradshaw, asking questions to three hidden bachelors before choosing one for a date. Alcala, known as Bachelor Number One, presented himself with a confident, albeit strange, demeanor.
Alcala's Ominous Performance
During the segment, Alcala’s answers were notably odd and unsettling, though they were played for laughs by the studio audience. When asked what he would do to a woman on a date, he responded, "I’m a fun guy. I like to do anything that’s enjoyable. And I like to make a woman feel good. And I’m a good sport. I’ll make you glad you picked me."
However, it was his answer to a question about his favorite activity that raised the most eyebrows. Alcala, a known photographer who used his camera to lure victims, stated: "I like to take pictures of beautiful women, naked." This answer was edited out of the final broadcast but was confirmed by show staff.
Cheryl Bradshaw’s Life-Saving Intuition
Despite the strange answers, Bradshaw ultimately chose Alcala as her date. The prize was a tennis lesson and a dinner date. However, what happened immediately after the show is the most critical detail of the entire story.
Upon meeting Alcala backstage, Bradshaw was immediately put off. She later described him as "creepy" and "weird," stating that his "vibrations were all wrong." She told the show's producers that she would not be going on the date with him. This decision, based purely on her gut feeling, is considered the single action that saved her from becoming another one of Alcala's victims.
The Full Scope of Rodney Alcala's Crimes and His Final Years
While the *Dating Game* incident is what brought Alcala international notoriety, the true horror of his life lies in the dozens of murders and assaults he committed over two decades. His criminal career began long before 1978.
A Lifetime of Violence and Evasion
Alcala was a convicted sex offender who had previously been charged with the attempted kidnapping and sexual assault of an 8-year-old girl, Tali Shapiro, in 1968. He fled to New York, where he continued his crimes.
His murder victims included:
- Jill Barcomb (18)
- Georgia Wixted (27)
- Charlotte Lamb (32)
- Jill Parenteau (21)
- Enid Alcaraz (23)
- Pamela Lambson (20)
- Robin Samsoe (12) - whose 1979 murder led to his initial conviction.
Alcala was a master manipulator and evaded justice for years. He was convicted and sentenced to death multiple times, with his case being overturned and retried. In 2010, he was finally convicted of five murders in California, and in 2013, he pleaded guilty to two murders in New York.
The Discovery of the "Trophy" Photos
One of the most chilling aspects of the case emerged after his final convictions: police discovered a storage locker belonging to Alcala containing over 1,000 photographs of young women and girls. While many of the people in the photos were never identified, authorities feared they were "trophies" of potential victims, further substantiating the estimate that his victim count was much higher than the seven he was convicted for.
The 2024 Resurgence: 'Woman of the Hour' and the True Story
The story of Rodney Alcala and Cheryl Bradshaw gained massive renewed attention with the release of the 2023 film Woman of the Hour on Netflix, directed by and starring Anna Kendrick as the contestant. The film specifically focuses on Bradshaw’s perspective, highlighting the gender dynamics and the systemic failure to recognize Alcala as a dangerous predator.
Fact vs. Fiction in the Film
While the film is based on true events, some creative liberties were taken for dramatic effect. For instance, the film’s title character is named "Sheryl Bradshaw" (combining the common misspelling with the correct last name), and the sequence of events leading up to the show is dramatized. However, the core truth remains intact: a woman was placed in a terrifying situation on live television, and her personal instinct was the only thing standing between her and a serial killer. The film serves as a powerful reminder of the dangers women face and the critical importance of listening to one's intuition.
The film’s success has cemented the legacy of Cheryl Bradshaw as a true-crime figure who survived through an act of self-preservation, ensuring that the horrifying story of the "Dating Game Killer" remains a relevant and cautionary tale for a new generation.
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