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The Chilling True Story Of Cheryl Bradshaw: 5 Things You Didn't Know About Her Escape From 'The Dating Game Killer'

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The name Cheryl Bradshaw is forever etched in the annals of true crime history, not for a tragedy she suffered, but for one she miraculously avoided. Her appearance on the popular television show The Dating Game in 1978, where she unknowingly chose one of America's most prolific serial killers, Rodney Alcala, became a chilling moment that continues to fascinate and horrify audiences, especially with the renewed attention from the 2024 film Woman of the Hour. This article, updated in late 2025, delves into the facts of her life and the terrifying details of her near-miss, providing a comprehensive look at the woman who trusted her intuition and saved her own life.

The story of the aspiring actress and drama teacher who chose the "Dating Game Killer" remains a powerful testament to the importance of listening to one's gut feeling. While Cheryl Bradshaw has since retreated from the public eye to live a private life, the details of her encounter with Alcala—a man suspected of killing over 100 people—are crucial for understanding the sheer scale of the danger she faced.

The Known Biography and Context of Cheryl Bradshaw's Life

Due to the extraordinarily sensitive and dangerous nature of her encounter with a serial killer, Cheryl Bradshaw has successfully maintained a deep level of privacy for decades. Consequently, a traditional, detailed biography is not available. Her life story is primarily defined by the events surrounding her appearance on The Dating Game and her subsequent decision to disappear from the public spotlight. This is what is known about her life and the entities connected to her story:

  • Name: Cheryl Bradshaw
  • Occupation (at the time): Aspiring actress and drama teacher.
  • The Event: Appeared as the bachelorette on a 1978 episode of the syndicated version of The Dating Game.
  • The Choice: Selected Bachelor #1, Rodney James Alcala.
  • The Escape: Canceled the date with Alcala immediately after the taping, citing a "creepy" feeling.
  • Life Post-Event: Left California to live a private life and raise a family, a decision confirmed by the postscript of the 2024 film Woman of the Hour.
  • Public Status: Her current whereabouts and identity are unknown, as she has maintained a low profile since the news of Alcala's crimes broke.
  • Fictionalized Portrayal: Portrayed by actress Anna Kendrick in the 2024 true-crime film Woman of the Hour.

The 1978 Episode: A Chilling Twist of Fate on The Dating Game

The episode of The Dating Game featuring Cheryl Bradshaw and Rodney Alcala aired on September 13, 1978. The show, hosted by the jovial Jim Lange, was a staple of 1970s television, a lighthearted game where a bachelorette would quiz three hidden bachelors to choose one for a chaperoned date.

Alcala, introduced as "Bachelor #1," was described by the host as a "successful photographer who got his start when his father found him in the darkroom at the age of 13." His answers were charming and witty, winning over the audience and, initially, Bradshaw herself. She ultimately chose Alcala over the other two bachelors. The choice, however, would prove to be one of the most terrifying non-events in the history of television.

What the audience—and Bradshaw—didn't know was that Alcala was a convicted sex offender who was actively in the middle of a killing spree. He had already been convicted of kidnapping and assaulting an 8-year-old girl in 1968, though he was out on parole. His appearance on the show was merely a brief, bizarre detour in a life dedicated to heinous crimes.

The Red Flag: Why Cheryl Bradshaw Canceled Her Date

The true miracle of Cheryl Bradshaw's story lies in her immediate post-show decision. After the cameras stopped rolling and she met Alcala face-to-face, her excitement quickly turned to dread. The contestant coordinator, Ellen Metzger, later recalled Bradshaw's initial enthusiasm turning "pretty lukewarm" after the taping.

The exact words and specific red flags have been described in various accounts, but the consensus is that Alcala's off-camera demeanor was drastically different from his charming on-stage persona. He was reportedly "creepy" and gave her a "bad feeling." Bradshaw’s intuition screamed danger, and she followed it, refusing to go on the planned date to a theme park with Alcala. This snap decision, based purely on an unsettling gut feeling, likely saved her life.

The terrifying reality is that Alcala's murder spree was ongoing. Just a year after his appearance on *The Dating Game*, he was charged with the 1979 murder of 12-year-old Robin Samsoe. Authorities later connected him to the murders of at least seven people: Jill Barcomb (18), Georgia Wixted (27), Charlotte Lamb (32), Jill Parenteau (21), and Alcala's first murder victim, Tali Shapiro (8), in addition to Samsoe.

The Legacy of The Dating Game Killer and Alcala's Final Years

Rodney Alcala earned the moniker "The Dating Game Killer" because of his infamous 1978 television appearance. He was a prolific serial killer and rapist, with authorities believing his victim count could be as high as 130. His crimes spanned decades, and he would often lure his victims by posing as a photographer, using his camera equipment as a tool for manipulation. He was eventually sentenced to death in California for five murders.

The final chapter of Alcala's reign of terror closed on July 24, 2021, when he died of natural causes at the age of 77 while on death row at Corcoran State Prison. His death brought a sense of closure to the families of his confirmed victims, though the mystery of his many unconfirmed victims remains. The fact that his death occurred relatively recently—in the 2020s—is a key reason why the story of Cheryl Bradshaw remains a fresh topic of discussion and media interest.

The 2024 Film 'Woman of the Hour' and Renewed Interest

The story of Cheryl Bradshaw was thrust back into the global spotlight with the release of the 2024 true-crime film Woman of the Hour, starring and directed by Anna Kendrick. The film, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), is Kendrick's directorial debut and provides a dramatic, yet fact-based, account of Bradshaw's experience.

The movie's success highlights the enduring public fascination with this chilling true story. The entities involved in the film—Anna Kendrick, director, Ian McDonald (writer), and the release year (2024)—are now inextricably linked to the historical events of 1978. The film serves as a modern-day tribute to Bradshaw's intuition and a stark reminder of the hidden dangers lurking beneath a seemingly innocent façade. It confirms that the real Cheryl Bradshaw chose to prioritize her safety and privacy, leaving California to live a quiet life, a decision that cemented her status as a true-crime survivor.

Cheryl Bradshaw's story is more than a true-crime anecdote; it is a powerful lesson in self-preservation. Her decision to trust her gut, despite the allure of a television date, saved her from becoming another statistic in the horrifying trail of the "Dating Game Killer."

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