Cassandra Peterson

Cassandra Peterson, born on September 17, 1951, is an American actress and former go-go dancer and showgirl. She rose to fame for her portrayal of the horror hostess character Elvira, Mistress of the Dark. Peterson gained popularity hosting Elvira's Movie Macabre, a B movie presentation on Los Angeles television station KHJ-TV. As a member of The Groundlings, an improvisational and sketch comedy troupe, she developed the Elvira persona, drawing inspiration from her own creation of a 'Valley girl'-type character. The success of Elvira's Movie Macabre led to the release of the films 'Elvira: Mistress of the Dark' in 1988 and 'Elvira's Haunted Hills' in 2001. Peterson reprised her role as Elvira in the revived television show in 2010 and in subsequent appearances in 2014 and 2021.