ABOUT ELVIRA: MISTRESS OF THE DARK
When you hear the name Elvira only one person comes to mind... Halloween icon and quintessential symbol of all things spooky, the one and only Mistress of the Dark.
Back in 1981, who could have imagined the hostess of a local Hollywood Horror movie show would grow to become a household name? Elvira was the first horror host ever to be syndicated nationally and has emerged as one of the most original and outrageous characters in popular culture today.
Elvira's reign as 'Queen of Halloween' has now spanned twenty-six years and includes two feature films, an IMAX film and 2 motion control rides. She has appeared in National ad campaigns for Pepsi and Coors, recorded 5 music CDs, published 4 books and licensed over 400 products, including 2 Bally pinball machines, BC Rich guitars, 3 comic book series, Elvira’s ‘Night Brew’ beer, ‘Evil’ perfume and a slot machines from IGT. Elvira also boasts the best selling female costume of all time.
In the last two decades she has given thousands of radio, newspaper and magazine interviews and made hundreds of film, television and live appearances - everything from The Grammy Awards, Saturday Night Live, MTV Specials and Monday Night Football to NBC's Today Show, The Tournament of Roses Parade and even a U2 Concert with Bono!
She most recently produced and starred in the Fox Reality show “The Search for the Next Elvira” which aired in the fall of 2007.
Played by actress-writer Cassandra Peterson, Elvira, Mistress of the Dark has carved out a niche in popular American culture that is sure to endure for decades to come.
ABOUT CASSANDRA PETERSON
Elvira's alter ego, Cassandra Peterson, was born in Manhattan, Kansas and raised in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Cassandra remembers being mesmerized by Ann-Margret. "I always wanted to be a dancer, ever since I saw Ann-Margret in 'Viva Las Vegas'." Just days after graduating from high school, Cassandra fled to Vegas where, at the age of 17, she became the youngest showgirl in Las Vegas history.
Cassandra's desire to emulate Ann-Margret led to an evening with the legendary Elvis Presley, who saw her perform and encouraged her to pursue a singing career. Off to Europe, Cassandra toured extensively as lead singer for an Italian rock band. Eventually settling in Rome, where she became fluent in Italian, Cassandra met renowned director, Federico Fellini, who cast her in his classic film, "Fellini's Roma".
Returning stateside, Cassandra formed her own nightclub review, "Mama's Boys", which toured the national club circuit. In the late 70's, she joined the satiric improvisational troupe, The Groundlings, which also produced such notables as Phil Hartman, Pee Wee Herman, Jon Lovitz and Julia Sweeney. There she honed her now renowned comedic skills as both a writer and performer.
Film and television appearances such as "Cheech And Chong's Next Movie", "Fantasy Island", "Happy Days" and "St. Elsewhere" followed, but Cassandra recalls, "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."
It was the fall of 1981, with the birth of her character, Elvira, that it all changed. While she has since played herself in many film and television shows including "Echo Park", "Alan Quartermain" and "Pee Wee's Big Adventure", Cassandra Peterson ultimately combines her numerous talents into an intriguing persona which has not only become a Halloween icon, but a "vamp" for all seasons.
Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, is on the lookout for a new minion to join her forbidden (and sexy) army of the night! The Search for the Next Elvira, a Fox Reality Channel Original series, follows Elvira as she goes through a gaggle of wannabes to find someone who can withstand the beehive hair-do and the buxom bosoms to be her apprentice. The search is on!