Eric Robert Rudolph was born on September 19, 1966, in Florida. He had a troubled childhood and at the age of 18, he and his mother moved to a Christian Identity compound. This compound would later influence his extremist beliefs.
Rudolph joined the United States Army, where he served for a brief period. However, his time in the military did not last long, and he eventually left to pursue other interests.
Rudolph's criminal activities began in the 1990s when he started to carry out bombings in protest of global socialism and abortion laws. His most infamous attack was the Centennial Olympic Park bombing during the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia. The bombing resulted in the deaths of two individuals and injured more than 100 others.
Following the attack, Rudolph went into hiding and was placed on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list. He managed to evade capture for seven years until he was finally apprehended in 2003.
After his capture, Rudolph was tried and convicted for his crimes. He was sentenced to four consecutive life sentences, ensuring that he would spend the rest of his life behind bars.
Prior to his life of crime, Rudolph worked in construction as a carpenter, roofer, and a handyman. Despite his later extremist actions, he led a relatively normal life before turning to violence.
Rudolph's story has been the subject of much media attention, including the 2019 film "Richard Jewell." In the film, actor Paul Walter Hauser portrays Richard Jewell, the man who was falsely accused of Rudolph's crimes. The movie sheds light on the events surrounding the Centennial Olympic Park bombing and the subsequent manhunt for Rudolph.
Overall, Eric Robert Rudolph's life is a cautionary tale of how extremist beliefs can lead to violence and destruction. His actions left a lasting impact on the lives of many and serve as a reminder of the consequences of radicalization.