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

He attacked one of his victims with a claw hammer, and all of them were repeatedly strangled and resuscitated during their deaths to prolong their agony. Though he has been convicted of five murders in California, some investigators have speculated that the total could be as high as 30 and may extend as far east as New York.Citation neededdate=April 2010 He has been likened to notorious serial killer Ted Bundy. Authorities state that as investigations go on, he may be recognized as the most prolific serial killer in American history.

Alcala is the first defendant eligible for the death penalty in Orange County (Orange County, California) to represent himself (pro se) at trial in 12 years. On March 9, 2010, the trial jury concluded the penalty phase of the trial with a verdict recommendation for death; this is Alcalas third death sentence, given for victim Robin Samsoe and four others.