This Day in Horror History: Happy Birthday, Cassandra Peterson, Mistress of the Dark
Mike Sprague
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On this day in horror history, Cassandra Peterson was born in Manhattan, Kansas, in 1951. Peterson is best known as horror hostess Elvira, Mistress of the Dark.
As a toddler, she spent three months in the hospital after being scalded by boiling water. She required skin grafts to over 35% of her body. While on a trip to Vegas in high school she was noticed by the staff a live show and despite being 17 years old, convinced her parents to let her sign a contract. Immediately after high school, she returned to Vegas, where she became a showgirl, briefly dated Elvis Presley, and had a small role in the James Bond film Diamonds Are Forever.
In 1979, she joined the improvisational troupe The Groundlings, where she created a Valley girl-type character upon whom the Elvira persona is largely based.
In 1981, producers wanted a weekend horror show with a female host. They sent out a casting call, and Peterson won the role. Left to create the role’s image, Peterson and Robert Redding, came up with the sexy punk/vampire look after her original idea to look like Sharon Tate in The Fearless Vampire Killers was rejected.
Known for her tight-fitting, low-cut black gown and “Valley girl” tone, Peterson brought a satirical edge to Elvira and her campy humor, sex appeal, double entendres, good-natured self-mockery, and frequent jokes about her cleavage made her popular with viewers. The character soon evolved into a lucrative brand with products including Halloween costumes and decor, comic books, action figures, trading cards, pinball machines, calendars, perfume, dolls, and more.
Her popularity reached its peak with Elvira: Mistress of the Dark in 1988. Peterson is currently working on the direct sequel to Elvira: Mistress of the Dark, as well as an animated Elvira project. Do you dig Elvira? Hit us up and let us know what you think in the comments below or over on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram!
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