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7 Shocking Facts About Cheryl Bradshaw: The Woman Who Escaped The Dating Game Killer

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The story of Cheryl Bradshaw is not just a true crime footnote; it is a chilling masterclass in survival and trusting your instincts. As of December 21, 2025, public interest in her harrowing near-miss with serial killer Rodney Alcala has surged, driven almost entirely by the release of the critically acclaimed Netflix film, Woman of the Hour, starring Anna Kendrick. This renewed focus brings Cheryl Bradshaw's 1978 appearance on The Dating Game back into the spotlight, reminding the world that she was one of the few who saw the danger in the man later dubbed "The Dating Game Killer" and lived to tell the tale.

Cheryl Bradshaw, an aspiring actress and drama teacher at the time, unknowingly chose one of America’s most prolific murderers for a date. Her snap decision to cancel the outing, based on a profound feeling of unease, saved her life from a man responsible for the documented murders of at least seven people and suspected of over 100 more. This deep dive explores the known facts of her life, the details of the infamous television encounter, and her subsequent decision to pursue a life of well-deserved anonymity.

The Real Cheryl Bradshaw: A Profile in Survival

The name "Cheryl Bradshaw Alcala" is a common search term, reflecting the inescapable link between the survivor and the killer, but the woman who appeared on the show is simply Cheryl Bradshaw. Her life before and immediately after the traumatic event provides a crucial context for understanding her incredible intuition and subsequent need for privacy.

  • Full Name: Cheryl Bradshaw
  • Contextual Connection: Contestant on the September 1978 episode of the popular television game show, The Dating Game.
  • The Killer: She chose Bachelor Number One, Rodney Alcala, who was later identified as a serial rapist and murderer.
  • Occupation (1978): Aspiring actress and drama teacher living in Los Angeles, California.
  • The Critical Decision: Bradshaw famously refused to go on the date with Alcala after meeting him backstage, stating she found him "creepy" and sensed a bad "vibe."
  • Post-Incident Life: Following the revelation of Alcala's crimes, Bradshaw reportedly left California and chose to live a private life, successfully raising a family away from the public eye and media scrutiny.
  • Current Status: She has maintained her anonymity for decades. Little is publicly known about her current whereabouts or occupation, a testament to her deliberate choice to seek a quiet life away from the notoriety of the case.

The Chilling 1978 Encounter on The Dating Game

The episode of The Dating Game aired in September 1978, a period when Rodney Alcala was actively committing murders. The show provided a seemingly innocent platform for a predator, making the details of the broadcast and Bradshaw's subsequent refusal all the more chilling.

Alcala, known for his unsettling charm and manipulative demeanor, managed to win the date by answering Bradshaw's questions with a mix of humor and odd, unsettling comments. His on-air persona, however, was a thin veneer masking a violent criminal history that included kidnapping and attempted murder.

The fateful moment came when the cameras stopped rolling. The bachelorette and the bachelor were introduced face-to-face. It was here, away from the bright lights and studio audience, that Cheryl Bradshaw's intuition took over. She reportedly found Alcala's appearance and overall energy deeply off-putting—a crucial, life-saving instinct.

Despite having won a date to a place like a romantic beach getaway, Bradshaw made the immediate decision to cancel. Her simple, yet profound, gut reaction to the man standing before her saved her from becoming another victim in Alcala’s horrifying spree, which included the murder of 12-year-old Robin Samsoe.

The contrast between the lighthearted game show format and the dark reality of Alcala's identity is a powerful element of the true crime narrative. This juxtaposition is what makes Bradshaw's story a timeless case study in danger lurking in plain sight, and the importance of listening to one's inner voice.

Life After the Near-Miss: Anonymity and Legacy

The magnitude of what Cheryl Bradshaw avoided only became clear a year after the show aired, when Rodney Alcala was arrested and his true nature as a serial killer was revealed. The realization that she had been inches from death—and had intuitively stepped back—must have been overwhelming.

Bradshaw’s response was to retreat entirely from the public sphere. Unlike many figures in high-profile true crime cases, she chose complete anonymity. She left Los Angeles, the center of her aspiring acting career, and reportedly moved to live a quiet life and raise a family. This move was a conscious effort to reclaim her narrative and protect herself from the notoriety associated with the "Dating Game Killer" case.

Her decision highlights a critical aspect of being a survivor: the right to privacy and the ability to move past a traumatic event without constant media intrusion. Her life today is a carefully guarded secret, and this lack of public information is, in itself, a success story of a woman who prioritized peace over fame.

The recent Netflix movie, Woman of the Hour, has brought her story to a new generation. While the film uses the fictionalized name "Sheryl," it is a clear tribute to the real Cheryl Bradshaw. Actress Anna Kendrick, who played the lead role, has emphasized that the film is intended to shift the focus from the killer to the victim and, most importantly, the survivor.

This film serves as a powerful legacy for Cheryl Bradshaw, ensuring her story is remembered not for the terror of the encounter, but for the strength of her survival and the validation of her intuition. It is a cinematic monument to the woman who, by simply trusting her gut, changed the course of her destiny.

Topical Entities and Keywords: Rodney Alcala, The Dating Game, Woman of the Hour, Anna Kendrick, Serial Killer, 1978, Los Angeles, Aspiring Actress, Drama Teacher, Survival, Anonymity, True Crime, Robin Samsoe, Netflix Film, Bachelorette, Intuition, Daniel Zovatto, TV Game Show, Criminal History, Near-Miss.

cheryl bradshaw alcala
cheryl bradshaw alcala

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