Rodney Alcala (born Rodney James Alcala; August 23 1943) is a convicted rapist and serial killer. Upon his 2010 conviction for five murders from the 1970's, American mass media dubbed him the "Dating Game Killer". This moniker stems from a successful appearance on the 1970's American television show "The Dating Game".

He raped one of his victims with a claw hammer, and all of them were re More..peatedly strangled and resuscitated during their deaths to prolong their agony. Though he has been convicted of 5 murders in California, some investigators fear the total could be as high as 30 and may extend as far east as New York. He has been likened to notorious serial killer Ted Bundy as well as to Adolf Hitler. Authorities state that as investigations go on, he may be recognized as the most prolific serial killer in American history.
Alcala is the first death penalty eligible defendant in Orange County to represent himself at trial in 12 years. He is a genius with an IQ over 160. On 9 March 2010 the trial jury concluded the penalty phase of the trial with a verdict recomendation for Death; this is Alcala's third Death sentence for Robin Samsoe and first for 4 others