Cassandra Peterson
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"Elvira" redirects here. For other uses, see Elvira (disambiguation).
 Elvira, at the San Diego comic convention in 2006 |
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| Born: | September 17, 1949 Manhattan, Kansas, USA |
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| Occupation: | Actress and TV hostess. |
| Website: | http://www.elvira.com/ |
| There is a question regarding her year of birth. Some sources indicate 1951, others indicate 1949. Cassandra has never publicly indicated. | |
Cassandra Peterson (born September 17, 1949) is an American actress best known for her on-screen horror host persona "Elvira, Mistress of the Dark". She gained fame on Los Angeles television station KHJ wearing a black, gothic, cleavage-enhancing gown as host of Movie Macabre, a weekly horror movie presentation. Her wicked vampish appearance was offset by her comical character, quick witted personality and Valley girl-type speech. Although the character of Elvira wears a large black wig, Peterson is a natural redhead.
In April 2006, Peterson announced her intent to retire the role.
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[edit] Biography
[edit] Early life
Although born in Manhattan, Kansas, Peterson grew up in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and graduated from General William J. Palmer High School in 1967. Just days after that, she became a showgirl at The Dunes in Las Vegas, Nevada. In Italy, she was the lead singer in a rock band and a chance encounter with Federico Fellini led to a small part in Roma (1972). Back in the U.S., she joined the Los Angeles-based improvisational troupe The Groundlings, where she created the character later known as Elvira.
[edit] Recent years
During a Bullz-Eye interview, Cassandra rendered a chat with the "Mistress of the Dark" that reveals her unique perspective. A Chat with assandra Peterson, AKA Elvira, Mistress of the Dark
Peterson made brief appearances (both as herself and as Elvira) on I Love the 80s 3-D on VH1.
Cassandra was chosen for the 2004 Randal Kleiser fantasy movie version of Red Riding Hood. She plays the mother of the hunter and future Baron (Henry Cavill) of the enchanted forest. During a night time encounter, she is swallowed up by the "Wolfie" with super-natural powers, who then transforms into the character of the mother to try to trick the son of the mother just swallowed.
In 2005, Peterson (as Elvira) hosted a show on Australian-based cable TV channel TV1; the format was similar to her old show.
During the weekend of January 13, 2006, Peterson held an estate sale at her Hollywood Hills home which constituted many household, personal and movie memorabilia items. The estate sale was due her recent divorce in which her assets had to be evenly divided. Initially, she had planned a move to Santa Barbara, California, but since the divorce she is staying in the Los Angeles area.
On April 19, 2006, Peterson announced her intention to retire as Elvira, and that she would be seeking a successor for the role, via a reality TV program. Her open coffin offering even being written about during daylight hours. Elvira seeks a suessor, via reality TV
Several episodes of the Elvira's Movie Macabre series were released on DVD in September 2006.
On October 30th, 2006 Peterson announced, in her Elvira role, that she would be running for President of the United States in 2008. It is not clear if Peterson is serious about the running for office, but did state that, "We already have two boobs in office, why not mine?" Peterson made the announcement on The Mic 92.1FM, a Madison, Wisconsin progressive talk radio station during The Stephanie Miller Show.
Cassandra Peterson remains a supporter of animal rights, and an active member of PETA. She presented her Elvira persona during a Halloween appeal to use consideration of animal rights with candy selection. I want you to be sweet to animals this Halloween
She has never had any cosmetic surgery or implants to enhance her natural curves[citation needed].
[edit] References in popular culture
- In the episode Fraudcast News of the Simpsons, a character called Booberella is a parody of Elvira.
[edit] See also
- Elvira, Mistress of the Dark (1988 film)
- Elvira's Haunted Hills (2001 film)
- Halloween traditions
- John Zacherle
- Maila Nurmi
- List of computer and video games with female protagonists
