Real life serial killer now on death row in California was actor on show

Serial killer Ramon Jay Rogers was sentenced to death in 1997 in California for the murders of three people in San Diego County.

Rogers was charged with the murders of Beatrice Toronczak and his former girlfriend Rose Albano, who was pregnant with his child at the time of her disappearance in December 1993 and whose partial remains were found in a trash bag near Rogers' sister's home. He was also charged with the murder of his one-time roommate and best friend Ron Stadt, who vanished in June 1993, apparently after confronting Rogers about having an affair with Stadt's estranged wife and whose body was never found.

He was found guilty of first degree murder as to the two women and guilty of the lesser charge of second degree murder as to Stadt, with a multiple-murder special circumstance, and was sentenced to death.

Rogers, lean and muscular, with swarthy good looks and longish hair, fit the look that directors wanted for characters in the show, and he was cast in several episodes.

In addition to playing small parts on "Renegade," Rogers performed roles for a local Crime Stoppers program. He played murderers, bank robbers and an assortment of other felons, said Linda Zweig, who once coordinated the show.

"He was very good at what he did," she said.

Ramon Rogers is currently on Death Row in San Quentin State Prison.