Biography for
Cassandra Peterson More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

17 September 1951, Manhattan, Kansas, USA

Nickname

The Mistress of the Dark

Height

5' 7" (1.70 m)

Mini Biography

Cassandra Peterson was born in Manhattan, Kansas and grew up in Colorado Springs, Colorado. She began her career at age seventeen as the youngest showgirl in Las Vegas history in the show Vive Les Girls at the Dunes Hotel. After receiving advice from the 'King' himself, Elvis Presley, she traveled to Europe where she pursued a career as a singer and actor. She worked in several Italian films, including director Federico Fellini's Roma and performed throughout Europe as lead singer of an Italian rock band.

Upon returning to the states, Ms. Peterson toured America as star of her own musical-comedy show, Mama's Boys. She eventually settled in Hollywood, where she spent four and a half years with L.A.'s foremost improvisational comedy group, The Groundlings. In 1981 she auditioned for the part of 'horror hostess' on a local Los Angeles Television station. Her show, Movie Macabre and her newly created character, Elvira, became an overnight sensation.

Cassandra has used Elvira's celebrity status to bring attention to many worthy causes and organizations over the years, including her well-known work for animal welfare and raising money and awareness for the prevention of HIV/AIDS.

In addition to co-writing and performing in both the local L.A. and nationally syndicated television versions of Movie Macabre, Ms. Peterson co-wrote, produced and starred in two feature length films: Elvira, Mistress of the Dark and Elvira's Haunted Hills.

Her latest endeavors include producing, writing and starring in the reality series Search for the Next Elvira on Fox Reality, the 2011 nationally syndicated series, Elvira's Movie Macabre.

Ms. Peterson has spent over 3 decades solidifying the Elvira brand and building it into an international cult icon that has become synonymous with Halloween and the horror genre.

IMDb Mini Biography By: anonymous

Spouse

Mark Pierson

(4 July 1981 - 14 February 2003) (divorced) 1 child

Trade Mark

Beauty mark (mole) under her right eye, black dress with the plunging neckline and slit on the right side, ruby ring, snake-shapped earrings, black fingernails, black pumps, the dagger she stores on her belt, and her bouffant hairdo.

Voluptuous figure

Sparkling blue eyes

Deep sultry voice

Trivia

Big fan of Vincent Price, Roger Corman and Edward D. Wood Jr..

Close friend of Vincent Price.

Strong supporter of gay rights.

First woman who did a music video in 3D ("Superstition").

Favourite movies: Plan 9 from Outer Space (1959) and Attack of the Killer Tomatoes! (1978).

#1 of Sci-Fi's Sexiest B-Queens, by Femme Fatales magazine. [1997]

Owns a production company in Los Angeles called Queen B Productions. She merchandises Elvira products.

Pentagon named a Stealth computer system "Elvira" inspired by her.

Strong supporter of animal rights.

Attended Palmer High School, Colorado Springs, Colorado; graduated in class of 1969.

Once was a complete vegetarian, now eats dairy plus chicken and fish.

Daughter, Sadie born. [1991]

In 2002, she licensed the name and likeness of "Elvira" to International Game Technologies for use in an Elvira-themed video slot machine.

In 1996, she licensed the "Elvira" name and likeness to Midway Manufacturing (a division of WMS Gaming) for the "Scared Stiff" pinball game.

Has hosted the Halloween themed Knott's Scary Farm amusement park in Buena Park, California, from 1982 - 2001.

Was scalded by boiling water when she was five years old. Underwent seventeen skin grafting operations over the course of her childhood to repair the scar tissue. Now covers some of her remaining scars (around neck and shoulders) with make-up or clothing.

Is a natural redhead.

Although she has appeared in nude layouts, she has never appeared nude as the Elvira character.

Maila Nurmi, the original Vampira, unsuccessfully tried to sue Cassandra Peterson for stealing her act.

Inducted into the Horror Host Hall of Fame in 2012, as her character Elvira, Mistress of the Dark.

Personal Quotes

At least, I get my little black dress cleaned once in awhile. [When asked about the fact that Monica Lewinsky liked to compare with her, 1998].

"I was your typical struggling actress. I went to every audition, took a million acting, dancing and singing lessons, and spent years wondering where my next meal was coming from." Recalling her career before 1981.