If You Think Cecil the Lion’s Killer Was the Worst Big-Game Hunter/Dentist, Meet Larry Rudolph on Hulu

by

As a gamer, I was really looking forward to Dateline’s December 2022 episode, but it fell short of the mark for me. On the other hand, Dani Sloane knocked it out of the park with her directorial debut, Trophy Wife, now streaming on Hulu. She nailed it!

On December 2, 2022, the NBC newsmagazine show delved into the shocking true account of dentist Larry Rudolph, who tragically murdered his long-term partner Bianca Rudolph (another well-known big-game hunter) in 2016 during a safari in Zambia. It’s important to note that this is not the same American dentist/hunter who killed Cecil the Lion in Zimbabwe the year prior.

The “Safari Story” title for the Dateline episode seemed lackluster, providing an opportunity for Sloane to choose a better one. Titling someone a “trophy wife” is similar to capturing a 24-point buck in hunting terms, and it was indeed ripe – so much so that in 2024, James Hibberd from The Hollywood Reporter criticized Dateline correspondents Keith Morrison, Andrea Canning, and Josh Mankiewicz for their choice of episode titles, pointing out a shared oversight among them. A coincidence, but still, it illustrates the power of collective thinking.

The show “Trophy Wife: Murder on Safari” from ABC News is quite engaging. Sloane managed to secure impressive interviews for her story, such as the mistress, Lori Milliron, who was recently released from prison. Furthermore, “The Hollywood Reporter” also interviewed Sloane.

Here’s my take: Dive into the thrilling mystery of Trophy Wife: Murder on Safari! Exciting news, fellow fans, all three episodes have just landed on Hulu for your viewing pleasure!

***

To me, this seems like an ideal documentary series for Netflix. However, it landed on Hulu through ABC News instead. How do you feel about where it eventually found a home?

In this era, the streaming platforms are constantly combining and separating, and the environment is rapidly evolving at an incredible pace. What mattered most was having collaborators who embraced our unique vision, as we aimed to create something a bit offbeat, even slightly humorous or absurd. It seems that the market is moving towards major intellectual properties being the focus, making it challenging for lesser-known crime stories to find a suitable platform, since they lack the certainty associated with them. Instead of chasing the popular trends, I sought partners who genuinely understood our approach and direction. In this journey, ABC News Studios stood out as an exceptional choice, supporting us throughout the process.

Given your impressive background in producing true-crime stories, it’s surprising that you’re making your directorial debut with this particular project. What prompted you to take on this challenge at this stage of your career?

For years, I’ve cherished the aspiration of reaching this point. I’ve been immersed in directing and production for a considerable period, and I find that aspect particularly rewarding. It seems unlikely that it will ever completely depart from my life. There’s an appeal in collaborating with gifted directors who possess a unique vision and assisting them in refining and actualizing it that I find captivating. However, of course, I also have thoughts and insights to share about the world, society, women, and these narratives.

Over time, my ambition has grown towards directing, so when I encounter a story, I see it as a highly competitive field where stories that catch attention in newsmagazines can be optioned within months of release. The landscape is indeed competitive, but I seek out stories with deeply developed characters and immersive worlds, which are sometimes harder to find. This particular story seems to meet those criteria perfectly.

“The title seems spot-on to me. However, my coworker believes you may have taken it from an article he published in 2024, which cites the Rudolph case. I’m curious to know more about how you arrived at ‘Trophy Wife’ as the title for your work; could you share the background story?”

For a considerable period, we used to refer to this as “Larryworld”. The common phrase among us all was, “It’s Larry’s world and we’re just living in it.” This sentiment seemed to define how he led his life. Initially, our plan was to keep the title as “Larryworld”, but we soon understood that people might not watch it if it retained this name because they wouldn’t be familiar with Larry. The title needed explanation once you started watching the show, which we realized might deter viewers.

Clearly, the theme of hunting plays a significant role here. In our brainstorming session, our exceptionally clever and amusing co-producer Madeleine Carr suggested “Trophy Wife.” Upon hearing this, we instantly knew it was perfect. It just seemed to fit so well.

Is there any basis to the defense’s assertion during the trial that Larry and Bianca were in an open relationship, and that Bianca was unfaithful to Larry beforehand?

In a marriage of two, it’s often challenging to predict certain events. However, what can be confirmed is that those who knew them were genuinely surprised, as this topic hadn’t been previously mentioned, leaving many perplexed upon hearing the news. Those who had known them for over two decades, as I mentioned earlier, reacted with confusion, asking themselves, “What is he referring to?

Indeed, there was a certain ambiguity surrounding her knowledge and timing – a mystery we intended to unravel throughout our series, though I’m unsure if we managed to do so effectively. Regardless, she’s not present to clarify matters. As a result, many are left guessing about when she became aware of whatever it was. It seems quite evident that following the Safari Club incident, her awareness of the situation could no longer be ignored. She responded and took action. Afterwards, they chose to relocate to Arizona and make significant lifestyle changes, presumably as a means to break free from their previous circumstances and start anew with him.

Everyone also asserts that she was deeply devoted to her faith. This aspect was significant even in the context of the cremation episode in the story. She undeniably identified as a devout woman. Yet, for this detail to surface exclusively during the trial, when he was testifying, it struck me as an element of victim-blaming. It seemed almost as if he were arguing, “But she did it too, so I was justified.” To the jury, it felt like we were discussing something entirely unrelated to the events that transpired in the cabin in Zambia.

It’s hard to understand how Bianca was not aware of the nature of Larry’s relationship with Lori.

In addition to the previous part, consider this: If she knew about his actions, there’s often an extra weight on women’s shoulders. For instance, when a woman isn’t the primary earner in her family, the financial situation becomes significant. We touch upon this slightly in episode three, but there’s much more to discuss regarding how Larry Rudolph manipulated both Bianca and Lori financially within their relationship. He had the money, the power; he was the breadwinner. And when dealing with someone like Larry, if she were to ask for a divorce or separation, the custody issue could be problematic due to his known vindictive and vengeful nature.

As a gamer, I’d say if you find yourself stuck in a game with a character exhibiting toxic traits like vengeance and vindictiveness over the years, you start to question how to navigate the situation. Being a woman and a mother of beloved children, it’s challenging to decide whether to maintain harmony or take a stand against such behavior. In this particular case, she chose to do both: keep her family together while also drawing a line. She eventually issued an ultimatum, saying “enough is enough,” but unfortunately, the consequences were severe. So, when dealing with someone who may have narcissistic tendencies and can be harmful, it’s essential to find a strategy that ensures your safety and well-being.

Is there any chance in your eyes that Larry did not kill Bianca?

What captivates me most about this situation is its ability to be perceived from different viewpoints. That’s exactly what we attempted in episode three, and honestly, it’s a concept I’ve strived for throughout my career. I worked on a series years ago called Trial By Media, which remains one of the projects I’m most proud of. The underlying theme of this show was that each case can be understood from multiple perspectives.

[Trophy Wife] certainly matches the description – it’s enigmatic, leaving one pondering. The cabin was inhabited solely by the two main characters, and when you delve into the government’s argument, it appears robust. There were numerous character witnesses who testified about a recurring pattern of behavior, along with two decisive demands leading up to this event, and an unyielding fascination with wealth. This offers a compelling motive as to why he might have committed the crime. In cases like these, such a clear-cut rationale is seldom present, making the narrative more intriguing. The sequence of events seems crystal clear.

On one hand, there’s no denying that he had an excellent defense team. However, the bartender’s tale is pivotal to my understanding of the situation. Consider the dialogue, “I killed my wife for you!” followed by, “Oh, my God, he’s confessed in a bar to Laurie, she’s in on it! Oh, my God! The smoking gun!” Now, if we add just two words at the beginning, like, “They said, I killed my fucking wife for you,” the meaning shifts dramatically. I find myself torn between different perspectives due to these subtle changes.

In the show, there are conversations with colleagues claiming Lori was completely wicked and her child asserting that she was holy. However, you also spoke to Lori while she was in prison – so, who among them is telling the truth?

To effectively convey the story, it was essential to include Lori’s daughter as a character. Imagine multiple bosses you disliked; these dental assistants, who were all remarkable, had endured much. They perceived Lori as Larry’s right-hand woman, causing them immense fear of Larry. Their opinion of her was that she was the one responsible for many office happenings, either through complicity or poor behavior herself. A significant amount of anger and hate was directed towards her.

From what I gather, during your conversation with the daughter, you noticed her tender side at home and with the children, learned she was a single mom, and understood the daily struggles she faced commuting to work and caring for her kids alone. If this information wasn’t included in the document, it’s worth noting that she carried a significant load. It’s important to keep in mind the dual aspects of her life when interacting with her, especially after she met Larry.

(Steph’s depiction of Lori) Steph’s portrayal of her mother is what Steph considers to be the truth about her. She’s her mom, and she loves her deeply. I don’t believe she’s concealing anything or altering anything – I think that’s just her interpretation of who her mother was. Additionally, I believe it’s accurate to say that she was a version of the woman described by her colleagues at work.

What makes her intriguing is the mystery surrounding her role: was she complicit, malevolent, or a victim? Was she privy to what transpired, or oblivious? Despite being in love with him until the end, she remained loyal and never betrayed him. This raises questions about their relationship: is it driven by love or greed, or perhaps a blend of both? We’re left pondering, how should we interpret this loyalty?

Read More

2025-07-23 00:25