Elvira Mistress Of The Dark Poster Cassandra Peterson Groundlings

Cassandra Peterson (born September 17, 1951) is an American actress best known for her on-screen horror hostess character Elvira, Mistress of the Dark. She gained fame on Los Angeles television station KHJ wearing a black, gothic, revealing, cleavage-enhancing gown as host of Movie Macabre, a weekly horror movie presentation. Her wickedly vampish appearance is offset by her comical character, quirky and quick-witted personality, and Valley girl-type speech. Young Cassandra Peterson became the first 17-year-old dancer in Las Vegas history and moved to L.A. on the advice of obscure singing star Elvis Presley. There she joined the city's premier improv outfit, the Groundlings Theater. Fellow performers included Paul Reubens (aka Pee-Wee Herman), Laraine Newman, Jon Lovitz and John Paragon, who co-scripted the Elvira, Mistress of the Dark film. Her credits include episodes of Happy Days, CHiPS, St. Elsewhere, Fantasy Island and Frederico Fellini's Rom