Biography
Who is Cassandra Peterson?
Early life and background
Cassandra Peterson was born in Manhattan, Kansas, on September 17, 1951. As a toddler, she suffered severe burns from boiling water, requiring extensive skin grafts and a three-month hospital stay. Her family later relocated to Colorado Springs, Colorado, where her mother and aunt operated a local costume shop.
During her youth, Peterson developed an unusual fascination with horror-themed toys and watched early scary films like House on Haunted Hill. She trained in classical ballet and worked as a go-go dancer in local clubs during her teens before graduating from Palmer High School.
Early career and showgirl years
Inspired by a trip to Las Vegas during high school, Peterson persuaded her parents to let her sign a contract to perform in a live show. Immediately after graduation, she returned to Las Vegas and worked as a showgirl in Frederic Apcar's production of Vive Les Girls! At the Dunes, where she met Elvis Presley.
She later moved to Italy and served as the lead singer for the rock bands Latins 80 and The Snails. After returning to the United States, she worked as a showgirl and model, and she joined the Los Angeles-based improvisational comedy troupe the Groundlings in 1979.
Rise of Elvira
In 1981, Los Angeles television station KHJ-TV sought a host for a weekly B movie presentation called Elvira's Movie Macabre. Peterson auditioned for the role and won the position, creating the famous gothic vampire look alongside her friend Robert Redding using inspiration from Kabuki makeup and the band The Ronettes.
The character combined a low-cut black gown with a sarcastic California Valley girl persona, quickly propelling Peterson to widespread fame. The big success of the television hosting gig led to merchandising deals, television specials, and the feature film Elvira: Mistress of the Dark in 1988.
Birthday and age
Cassandra Peterson was born on September 17, 1951, which makes Cassandra 75 years old today. That birthday falls under the Virgo sign. Cassandra shares the date with 51 other famous people.
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