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Vampira (1922–2008)

Actress | Make-Up Department | Writer

The original glamour ghoul herself, "Vampira," of late night 50s TV, was actually born Maila Syrjäniemi (later changed to the easier surname Nurmi) on December 11, 1921, in Petsamo, Finland. Her uncle was the multiple Olympic medal runner Paavo Nurmi. Maila arrived in the United States with her... See full bio »

Born:

Maila Elizabeth Syrjaniemi
in Petsamo, Finland

Died:

(age 85) in Los Angeles, California, USA
Maila Nurmi as
3 photos | 8 videos | 20 news articles »

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Christopher Mann's Theatrical Demo Reel


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Known For


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Filmography

Hide HideActress (18 titles)
2000 No Way In (short)
Woman at Bar
 
1998 I Woke Up Early the Day I Died
Woman in Hotel Lobby (as Maila Nurmi)
 
1996 Dry (short)
Vanha nainen
 
1992 Horror Kung-Fu Theatre (TV series)
Vampira
 
1986 Population: 1
Mother (uncredited)
 
1962 The Magic Sword
The Hag/Sorceress (as Maila Nurmi)
 
1960 Sex Kittens Go to College
Etta Toodie
 
1960 I Passed for White
Girl Poet (uncredited)
 
1959 The Big Operator
Gina
 
1959 Plan 9 from Outer Space
Vampire Girl
 
1959 The Beat Generation
Poetess
 
1958 Too Much, Too Soon (uncredited)
 
1957 Playhouse 90 (TV series)
Vampira
– The Jet-Propelled Couch (1957) … Vampira
 
1956 Vampira (TV series)
Vampira
 
1955 The Red Skelton Hour (TV series)
Alice Kramden
– Honeymooner's Spoof (1955) … Alice Kramden
 
1954 The Vampira Show (TV series)
Vampira
– Dangerous Intruder (1954) … Vampira
– Rogue's Tavern (1954) … Vampira
– Fear (1954) … Vampira
– The Man with Two Lives (1954) … Vampira
– Strange Mr. Gregory (1954) … Vampira
 
1948 Romance on the High Seas
Ship Passenger (uncredited)
 
1947 If Winter Comes
Guest (uncredited)
 
Show ShowMake-Up Department (1 title)
1959 Plan 9 from Outer Space (Vampira makeup - uncredited)
 
Show ShowWriter (1 title)
1956 Vampira (TV series) (as Maila Nurmi)
 
Show ShowProducer (1 title)
1956 Vampira (TV series) (executive producer - as Maila Nurmi)
 
Show ShowThanks (2 titles)
2011 Special Collector's Edition (TV series) (in memory of - 1 episode)
– Pack Ed Wood (2011) (in memory of)
 
2009 Frankenpimp (special thanks)
 
Show ShowSelf (14 titles)
2006 Vampira: The Movie (video documentary)
Herself
 
2006 American Scary (documentary)
Herself (as Maila Nurmi)
 
2004 Dead Famous (TV series documentary)
Herself
– James Dean (2004) … Herself (as Maila Nurmi)
 
2004 Monsterama: A Tribute to Horror Hosts (TV movie)
Herself
 
2002 Biography (TV series documentary)
Herself
– James Dean: Outside the Lines (2002) … Herself (as Maila Nurmi)
 
2001 Schlock! The Secret History of American Movies (documentary)
Herself (as Maila Nurmi)
 
2000 The Final Day (TV mini-series)
Herself
– James Dean … Herself (as Maila Nurmi)
 
1995 The Haunted World of Edward D. Wood Jr. (documentary)
Herself
 
1995 Vampira: About Sex, Death and Taxes (documentary)
Herself
 
1992 Flying Saucers Over Hollywood: The 'Plan 9' Companion (video documentary)
Herself
 
1991 Naked Hollywood (TV mini-series)
Herself
 
1989 The Incredibly Strange Film Show (TV series documentary)
Herself
– Ed Wood Jr. (1989) … Herself (as Maila Nurmi)
 
1976 James Dean: The First American Teenager (TV documentary)
Herself (as Maila Nurmi)
 
1955 The George Gobel Show (TV series)
Herself
– Episode #1.21 (1955) … Herself
 
Show ShowArchive Footage (1 title)
2009 The 81st Annual Academy Awards (TV special)
Herself - Memorial Tribute
 

Related Videos

Plan 9 from Outer Space -- There have been many, many Plan 9s all throughout history, some of them more successful than others, all of them terrestrial - it took a man with the vision of Ed Wood to show us the very real horrors of a Plan 9 from Outer Space! American Scary -- American Scary is a look at the nation's tradition of horror hosting, from Zacherley to A. Ghastlee Ghoul. This is a preview of the section on Zacherley. American Scary -- American Scary is a look at the nation's tradition of horror hosting, from Zacherley to A. Ghastlee Ghoul. With interviews and footage from major hosts from the 1950s to the present day, such as Zacherley, Vampira, Ghoulardi and others.
See all 8 »
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Personal Details

Other Works:

1954: Rose to fame as a TV hostess for ABC when she create the Vampira persona. See more »

Publicity Listings:

3 Articles  | 1 Magazine Cover Photo  | See more »

Official Sites:

Official Site | See more »

Alternate Names:

Maila Syrjaniemi Nurmi | Maila Nurmi

Height:

5' 6½" (1.69 m)
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Did You Know?

Personal Quote:

[on Edward D. Wood Jr.] I just thought he was a low-born idiot. With no talent at all. Just a brazen, foolish idiot... You know, I thought he was just a goon. Ah, I wasn't looking squarely... I just cast a glance, and just dismissed him with a thought. Kind of snobbish and foolish of me. But then over the years as I've mellowed and grown a little more sensible... See more »

Trivia:

Once sued Cassandra Peterson, claiming that her "Elvira" persona was modeled after what she created as Vampira. See more »

Star Sign:

Sagittarius