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7 Shocking Facts About The 'Woman Of The Hour' Real Story: The Terrifying Truth Of The Dating Game Killer

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The true story behind the film Woman of the Hour is one of the most chilling and improbable events in American true crime history, a terrifying intersection of lighthearted 1970s television and a prolific serial killer. As of December 23, 2025, the narrative of a woman who unknowingly chose a murderer on national television continues to captivate and horrify audiences, largely due to the compelling portrayal of the event in the recent Anna Kendrick-directed film.

The core of the story revolves around the 1978 appearance of Rodney Alcala, a convicted rapist and active serial killer, as a charming contestant on the popular game show The Dating Game, and the quick-thinking contestant, Cheryl Bradshaw, whose gut feeling saved her life. This article delves into the verified facts, the complete biography of the killer, and the latest updates on the key people involved in this unbelievable, real-life nightmare.

The Dating Game Killer: Rodney Alcala's Disturbing Biography and Final Days

Rodney James Alcala, infamously known as "The Dating Game Killer," was one of America's most prolific and elusive serial murderers. His ability to charm and disarm his victims, coupled with his appearance on a popular television show, made his case uniquely disturbing.

  • Full Name: Rodney James Alcala (also used aliases John Berger and John Burger)
  • Born: August 23, 1943, in San Antonio, Texas.
  • Early Life: Alcala served in the U.S. Army but was discharged after a psychiatric evaluation diagnosed him with an antisocial personality disorder.
  • First Known Crime: In 1968, Alcala was arrested for the brutal assault and rape of 8-year-old Tali Shapiro in Los Angeles, but he jumped bail and fled.
  • The Dating Game Appearance: Appeared on the show in September 1978, while actively murdering women in California.
  • Convictions: Convicted of the murders of seven women and girls in California and New York between 1971 and 1979.
  • Victims (Confirmed): Jill Barcomb (18, 1977), Georgia Wixted (27, 1978), Charlotte Lamb (32, 1978), Jill Parenteau (21, 1979), Enid Altfeld (23, 1979), and Cornelia Crilley (23, 1971) and Ellen Hover (23, 1974) in New York.
  • Estimated Victims: The true number of his victims is estimated to be as high as 130.
  • Death: Rodney Alcala died of natural causes on July 24, 2021, at the age of 77 while on death row in a California prison.

The Chilling Night: Cheryl Bradshaw’s Fateful Appearance on The Dating Game

In 1978, Cheryl Bradshaw was an aspiring actress and drama teacher in Los Angeles. She was selected to be the bachelorette on *The Dating Game*, a show where she would ask questions of three unseen bachelors—Bachelor No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3—and choose one for a chaperoned date.

Rodney Alcala was Bachelor No. 1. He presented himself as a "successful photographer" and answered Bradshaw’s questions with a slick, witty, yet unsettling confidence.

The Fateful Choice and The Intuition That Saved a Life

Despite Alcala’s smooth answers, Bradshaw felt an immediate sense of unease. Her questions and his responses created a bizarre tension that was palpable even through the wall separating them. When asked to describe himself, Alcala joked, “I’m serving you for dinner,” a line that was later used as a chilling quote in the film.

Bradshaw ultimately chose Alcala for the date, based largely on his verbal performance. However, once the show ended and she met him backstage, her intuition screamed a warning.

She later recounted that she found Alcala "creepy" and "weird," noting something in his eyes that made her uncomfortable. In a life-saving decision, Cheryl Bradshaw refused to go on the date with Rodney Alcala, telling the show’s director, "I can’t be around him. He gives me the creeps."

The Survivors and The Photographic Evidence That Unlocked Dozens of Cold Cases

The true scale of Alcala’s depravity was not fully understood until years after his *Dating Game* appearance. While Bradshaw was one of the lucky ones, the film also highlights the story of a real-life survivor who was instrumental in his eventual capture.

The Teen Runaway Who Escaped

The character "Amy" in the movie is based on the real survivor, Monique Hoyt, a teenage runaway who was a victim of Alcala's assault and kidnapping in 1978. Monique Hoyt escaped Alcala and reported him to the police, providing a description that led to his arrest. This arrest was a crucial turning point, though Alcala was able to continue his crimes after his release.

Another key survivor is Tali Shapiro, who was only eight years old when Alcala raped and severely beat her in 1968. Tali survived the attack, and Alcala was eventually tied to her case.

The Discovery of the Chilling Photo Collection

Perhaps the most chilling piece of evidence in the Rodney Alcala case was the discovery of a storage locker in Seattle containing thousands of photographs. These photos, taken by Alcala, featured hundreds of women, girls, and even some boys, many of them in suggestive or posed positions.

Police released a cache of these photographs to the public in the hopes of identifying the individuals, fearing many were additional victims. The release of the photos led to numerous tips and helped authorities link Alcala to other unsolved cold cases across the country, confirming the suspicion that his victim count far exceeded the confirmed seven.

Where Are the Key Figures Now? The Latest Updates on the Real Woman of the Hour

The story of *Woman of the Hour* is a historical event, but the fates of the real people involved have only recently been confirmed, especially following the release of the film.

Rodney Alcala (The Dating Game Killer)

Alcala was convicted and sentenced to death multiple times throughout his life. He spent decades on death row in California, continuing to face charges for cold cases across the country, including New York. He died of natural causes at the age of 77 on July 24, 2021, at the California State Prison in Corcoran.

Cheryl Bradshaw (The Contestant)

After her terrifying encounter and refusal to go on the date, Cheryl Bradshaw largely retreated from the public eye. Her decision to trust her gut remains the most celebrated aspect of the story. While her exact location remained undisclosed for years, a very recent and sad update was provided by Anna Kendrick, the film's director and star.

In an October 2024 interview, Anna Kendrick confirmed that the real Cheryl Bradshaw had passed away, bringing a quiet and final end to the story of the woman whose intuition saved her from one of history’s most notorious serial killers.

The story of *Woman of the Hour* serves as a stark reminder of the hidden dangers that can lurk beneath a charming facade. The bravery of survivors like Monique Hoyt and Tali Shapiro, combined with the life-saving intuition of Cheryl Bradshaw, ensures that the victims' stories, and the chilling reality of The Dating Game Killer, will not be forgotten. The film's success in late 2024 and early 2025 has cemented this terrifying chapter in true crime lore for a new generation.

7 Shocking Facts About the 'Woman of the Hour' Real Story: The Terrifying Truth of The Dating Game Killer
woman of the hour real story
woman of the hour real story

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