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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.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

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. He died in prison in 2021 while on California’s death row.

Early life

Rodney Alcala was born Rodrigo Jacques Alcala in San Antonio, Texas, in 1943. Sources report that his family later moved to Mexico and then to the Los Angeles area.

Criminal cases

Alcala was convicted of multiple murders in California and New York. He was sentenced to death in California, and authorities have stated that he was conclusively linked to nine murders overall.

The Dating Game appearance

In 1978, Alcala appeared as a contestant on the television show *The Dating Game*. The appearance later made him infamous after his crimes became public.

Death

Alcala died on July 24, 2021, while incarcerated in California. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said he died of natural causes at a hospital in Kings County.

Key facts

  • 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 to nine killings overall.
  • Alcala appeared on *The Dating Game* in 1978, which later contributed to his notoriety.
  • He died in prison in 2021 at age 77 while on death row.
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Canadian context

Rodney Alcala is chiefly of interest to Canadian readers as a notable case in North American true crime history and television culture, especially because of the lasting notoriety of his 1978 *The Dating Game* appearance.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Rodney Alcala?
Rodney Alcala was an American serial killer and convicted sex offender known as the “Dating Game Killer.”
How many people did Rodney Alcala kill?
He was convicted of multiple murders and was conclusively linked to nine killings, but investigators said the true number of victims is unknown and may be much higher.
What happened to Rodney Alcala?
He was arrested, convicted of several murders, sentenced to death in California, and later died in prison while on death row.
Rodney Alcala dating game?
Alcala appeared as a contestant on *The Dating Game* in 1978, which later led to his nickname, the “Dating Game Killer.”
When did Rodney Alcala die?
He died on July 24, 2021, at age 77.
Where was Rodney Alcala from?
He was born in San Antonio, Texas, in the United States.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rodney_Alcala
    Supports: Birth name, birth and death details, California death sentence, link to nine murders, nickname, and overall biography
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Rodney-Alcala
    Supports: Born in San Antonio, Texas; known as the Dating Game Killer; moved to Mexico as a child; death details
  3. California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation — https://www.cdcr.ca.gov/news/2021/07/24/condemned-inmate-rodney-alcala-dies-of-natural-causes/
    Supports: Death on July 24, 2021; died of natural causes while incarcerated in California
  4. ABC News — https://www.abcnews.com/US/close-call-serial-killer-rodney-alcala-appeared-dating/story?id=75039197
    Supports: Dating Game appearance; convictions; death row status
  5. People — https://people.com/crime/how-a-serial-killer-and-rapist-ended-up-on-the-dating-game-and-was-chosen-by-the-girl/
    Supports: Dating Game appearance; birth in San Antonio; death in 2021; estimates that body count could be much higher