Rodney Alcala
Acting
Biography
Rodney James Alcala (born Rodrigo Jacques Alcala; August 23, 1943 – July 24, 2021), also known as John Berger and John Burger, was an American serial killer and convicted sex offender who was sentenced to death in California for five murders committed between 1977 and 1979. He pleaded guilty and received a sentence of twenty-five years to life for two further murders committed in New York State. He was also indicted for one murder in Wyoming, although the charges filed there were dropped. While he has been conclusively linked to nine murders, the true number of victims remains unknown and could be as high as 130. The 2024 movie Woman of the Hour is based on the episode in which Alcala was the winning contestant The Dating Game.
Known For
There are precious few individuals who have managed to survive their encounters with serial killers. Anchored by People Magazine's in-depth reporting, these survivors share their terrifying and intensely emotional experiences with unimaginable evil.
People Magazine Investigates: Surviving a Serial Killer
The story of Rodney Alcala, who was infamous for his TV dating show appearance during his murder spree, and who was linked to 130 deaths.
Dating Death
In 1978, Rodney Alcala won a date on the popular TV show, The Dating Game. What no one knew was that he was a prolific serial killer in the middle of a cross-country murder spree.
The Dating Game Killer
How one of America’s most infamous rapists and serial killers wound up on The Dating Game TV show in 1978 and even beat out his fellow contestants.