Rodney Alcala

Rodney Alcala was an American serial killer and convicted sex offender known as the “Dating Game Killer.” He was convicted of multiple murders in California and New York and was linked by investigators to additional killings.

Rodney Alcala was an American serial killer and convicted sex offender known as the “Dating Game Killer.” He was convicted of multiple murders in California and New York and died in prison in 2021 while on death row.

What it is

Rodney Alcala, born Rodrigo Jacques Alcala in San Antonio, Texas, in 1943, became infamous as the “Dating Game Killer” after appearing on the TV show *The Dating Game* in 1978. He was convicted of five murders in California between 1977 and 1979, and later of two more in New York. Investigators linked him to nine murders overall, but the true number of victims may be much higher.

Why it matters

Alcala’s case stands out in North American true crime history because of the bizarre contrast between his public persona as a *Dating Game* contestant and his private life as a serial killer. For Canadian readers, it’s a notable example of how television culture can intersect with criminal investigations, and it remains a cautionary tale about the limits of public perception.

Key details

Alcala was born in Texas, moved to Mexico and then to California. He was arrested, convicted, and sentenced to death in California. He died of natural causes on July 24, 2021, at age 77, while incarcerated at a hospital in Kings County, California.