Little Known Facts About Horror Movie Icon Elvira, Mistress of the Dark

Measurements: 34-21-34 (Source: Celebrity Sleuth magazine)

Her real name is Cassandra Peterson, but everyone that knows her, knows her as Elvira, Mistress Of the Dark from her self-titled B horror movies or from her late-night cult and horror movie midnight matinee. Born on September 17, 1949 in Manhattan, Kansas but growing up in Colorado Springs, CO left much to be desired so this determined and destined-to-be star moved to Las Vegas, Nevada immediately after graduating high school at the age of 17. There she showcased her talents singing and dancing; she loved to perform. Her Vegas career put her in the right place at the right time to meet The King, Elvis Presley. She took his encouraging advice on being a performer and joined an Italian rock band and toured as their lead singer.

Life was not always glamor and lights for this starlet; at the young age of five, she tipped a pot of boiling water over onto herself. She had to undergo numerous skin grafts to replace the damaged tissue, but looking at her, you could never tell. She now covers the scars with makeup or clothes - the dress she wears as Elvira only exposes the parts of her skin that were not burned. She did not find fame overnight; she often wondered if she had what it takes to make it in the entertaining business and thought about quitting on occasion.

Her looks are head-turning to say the least. She has been offered to do a Playboy spread as Elvira, but declined. However, she has done a shoot for them as herself. Elvira's trademarks include black fingernails, red lips, a beauty mark underneath her right eye, a long black revealing vampy dress, spiked heels, huge hair and a ruby ring.

She has appeared in over fifty movies and television series and specials as Elvira in films including "Fright Night" - her first television series back in 1970, "Parker Lewis Can't Lose" in 1992, Wrestlemania 2 in 1986, and even hosting Saturday Night Live in 1987, "Space Ghost Coast To Coast" 1996, and being spotlighted in Better Homes and Gardens in 1998. Remaining true to her roots, she lists some of her favorite movies like B-movie classics "Plan 9 from Outer Space" (1959) and "Attack of the Killer Tomatoes!" (1978).

While on the set of some of her earlier movies she became close friends with Paul Reubens, Cheech Marin, Richard Simmons, as well as the late Vincent Price. Her earlier comedy routines is what helped make change her into the saucy goth vixen, Elvira. She combines wit and intellect to create humorous banter leaving even the person she is putting down in stitches.Other movies: Roma (1972), Cheech & Chong's Next Movie 1980, but it was in The Groundlings where she met Paul Reubens also known as Pee Wee Herman made famous by his Saturday morning children's series "Pee Wee's Playhouse". During this time is when she molded her comedic skills

Choosing to be in the spotlight is her paramount talent but the lady also produces and writes: she writes all, or most, of the scripts for her characters in the movies she acts in as well as writing a few books, one is even under her real name entitled "Bad Dog, Andy". She even has her own brand of beer and her own line of perfume for those that can't seem to get enough.

With all of the spookiness and tongue-in-cheek comedy this lady dishes out, who knew she is a political activist; being a big supporter of animal rights; she went through a period of time where she would not eat anything made from animals, but has relented a bit and will now only eat dairy, chicken or fish. Another topic on her list of activist issues is gay rights; even though she is heterosexual, she is a strong supporter of gay rights. She has an independent and influential voice and chooses to use it to gain public awareness and acceptance of, not only gay rights, but the rights of our furry little friends too.

"Her Morbid Desires", which is still in production, is her current work; a film full of vampires and comedy laced horror. It is expected out by possibly Halloween of this year. There is also a rumor of an upcoming Elvira television series in production. If this is true, we will no doubt, be able to see her hosting late night B-movies once again on the boob tube.

Source: IMDB.com http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005308/