Rodney Alcala Biography: Ethnicity, Parents, Religion, Height, Crimes, Age, Net Worth, Death

Rodney James Alcala also known as Rodney Alcala is a notorious American serial killer, rapist, and kidnapper known as the “Dating Game Killer.”

He was convicted of murdering at least eight women and girls in California between 1977 and 1979, though authorities believe he may have been responsible for over 50 deaths across multiple states.

Quick Facts

• Full Name: Rodney James Alcala
• Stage Name: Rodney Alcala
• Born: August 23, 1943
• Age: 77 years old
• Died: July 24, 2021
• Birthplace: San Antonio, Texas, United States
• Nationality: American
• Ethnicity: American
• Occupation: Serial Killer, Rapist, Convicted Criminal
• Height: 5’10” (178 cm)
• Religion: Unknown
• Parents: Mr. Alcala and Mrs. Alcala
• Siblings: Unknown
• Spouse: Unknown
• Children: Unknown
• Relationship: Single
• Net Worth: $500,000

Early Life and Education

Rodney Alcala was born Rodney James Alcala on August 23, 1943, in San Antonio, Texas, United States. Brought up by his parents Mr. Alcala and Mrs. Alcala in a family that later moved to Los Angeles, California.

He grew up having unknown siblings. He enlisted in the U.S. Army at age 17 but was discharged after suffering a nervous breakdown.

He later attended UCLA, where he studied film and fine arts. His ethnicity is American. His religion is unknown.

The family relocation to California during his childhood exposed him to the opportunities and anonymity of a large city.

Growing up, he developed interests in photography and the arts, which he later used as a tool to lure victims by posing as a professional photographer.

Career

Rodney Alcala’s “career” was defined by a double life as a seemingly charming photographer and typesetter while committing a series of brutal murders, rapes, and kidnappings.

He appeared as Bachelor No. 1 on the popular television show The Dating Game in 1978, winning a date with Cheryl Bradshaw (who later refused to go out with him due to his “creepy” vibe).

Between 1977 and 1979, he was convicted of murdering at least eight women and girls in California, including 12-year-old Robin Samsoe.

He was arrested in 1979 but evaded full justice for decades due to legal technicalities and his own appeals.

In 2010, he was convicted of five murders and sentenced to death. Additional charges and DNA evidence later linked him to more victims.

He died of natural causes on July 24, 2021, while on death row at California State Prison, Corcoran.

His case remains one of the most infamous in American criminal history due to the scale of his crimes and his ability to appear normal in public.

Social Media

Rodney Alcala does not have a social media account.

Personal Life

Rodney Alcala, who passed away at 77 years old with a verified height of 5’10” (178 cm), never married and had no children. No meaningful romantic relationships are documented beyond his use of charm to lure victims.

He maintained a solitary and deceptive personal life, often using photography as a pretext to approach young women and girls.

Net Worth

Rodney Alcala’s net worth is around $500,000 and effectively zero in any meaningful sense, as he spent the majority of his adult life either evading capture, in prison, or on death row.

Any minor assets or earnings from earlier jobs as a typesetter or photographer were negligible and largely irrelevant given his criminal convictions and incarceration. No legitimate income sources existed after his 1979 arrest.