Cassandra Peterson Biography

Cassandra Peterson who is also known as “Mistress of the Dark” was born on September 17, 1949 in Manhattan, Kansas USA. She was raised in Colorado Springs and graduated from Palmer High School in 1966. Her childhood has brought her trauma when she was scalded by boiling water at the age of 5 and she had to undergo seventeen skin grafting operations over the course of her childhood to repair the scar tissue. Because of this incident, she had to cover some of her remaining scars around her neck and shoulders with make-up or clothing.

Younger Cassandra Peterson wanted to be a dancer and admitted that she has always been a fan of Ann Margret. Her admiration for her rooted the first time she saw her in Viva Las Vegas (1964).

At the age of 17, Cassandra Peterson travelled to Las Vegas a few days after she graduated from high school. She became the youngest showgirl in the history of the land. When Elvis Presley saw this natural red-head beauty perform, he persuaded her to pursue a singing career. A beginning of a new career took place in her life when she started touring Europe while singing for an Italian rock band. She became fluent in Italian when she stayed in Rome. There, she met Federico Fellini who casted her in “Roma”, a classic 1972 film.

When she returned to the US, Cassandra formed her own nightclub review "Mama's Boys", which toured the national club circuit. During the late 70’s, she joined the satiric improvisational troupe, The Groundlings, which honed her skills in comedy both as writer and performer. Then, film and television appearances such as Cheech & Chong's Next Movie (1980) and others followed.

However, Cassandra remained as the struggling actress who spent years wondering how she would be able to get her next meal. Changes took place in her life during the fall of 1981 when her character, Elvira, was born. This intriguing persona of has not only become a Halloween icon, but a "vamp" for all seasons. She licensed "Elvira" in 2002 to International Game Technologies for use in an Elvira-themed video slot machine. She was also the first woman who did a music video in 3D (Superstition). Her trademark has been the beautiful mole under the right eye, black dress with the plunging neckline and slit on the right side, ruby ring, snake-shaped earrings, black fingernails, black pumps, the dagger she stores on her belt, and her bouffant hairdo.

Cassandra Peterson married Mark Pierson on July 4 1981 with whom she had one child. She was a strong supporter of gay rights.