Cassandra Peterson started her career as a singer, dancer, and actress, performing at various nightclubs and bars in Colorado. In 1971, she moved to Las Vegas, where she landed a job as a showgirl at The Dunes. Peterson became a Vegas “IT” girl and made many appearances in different television shows, including “The Dean Martin Show” and “The Ken Berry ‘Wow’ Show”.
However, her fame grew exponentially when she created the character of Elvira, Mistress of the Dark. Elvira, the goth queen with big hair and plunging neckline, has become one of the most iconic horror characters in the world. Cassandra first debuted the character of Elvira in 1981 at The Khj-TV studios in Los Angeles when hosting a horror movie show named “Elvira’s Movie Macabre.” Elvira was so well received that she went on to become the official spokesperson for the Horror Hall of Fame Awards show and for Coors Light beer.
In 1988, Peterson starred in her first feature film as Elvira, Mistress of the Dark. The movie follows Elvira as she inherits a spooky mansion in a small town and is met with judgment and criticism from the predominantly conservative townsfolk. Despite the setbacks, Elvira finds her way and triumphs in the end. Elvira, Mistress of the Dark may not have been a box office hit, but it cemented Peterson’s place as a cult classic hero.
In addition to being a character actress, Peterson is a writer and producer. She wrote an autobiography in 1986 titled “Elvira, Mistress of the Dark,” which received critical acclaim. In 2001, Peterson co-wrote “Trailer Park of Terror,” which was later adapted into a movie. She also had several appearances as herself on TV shows such as “The Howard Stern Show,” “The Late Show with David Letterman,” and “RuPaul’s Drag Race.”
Peterson’s character, Elvira, has inspired many celebrities worldwide, including Madonna, who appeared on the Graham Norton Show in 2019 dressed up as Elvira. Cassandra Peterson’s success as a horror movie character has also paved the way for other female entertainers, such as Lily Munster, Morticia Addams, and Caroline Munro.
As a horror icon, Cassandra Peterson has become a significant part of pop culture. Her contribution to Hollywood has been acknowledged with numerous awards, including the 2011 Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Award, the 2015 Eyegore Award at Universal Studios Hollywood, and the 2016 Monster Fest Career Achievement Award. Recently, in 2019, her star was placed on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
In conclusion, Cassandra Peterson has transformed the entertainment industry with her eccentric, spooky, and yet lovable character of Elvira. She has shown women worldwide that it’s possible to create a unique and badass role in showbiz, and that’s why she will always remain an inspiration to performers everywhere. She will forever be known to us as the Mistress of the Dark, the horror queen that stole our hearts, and made us laugh and scream simultaneously.