Cassandra Peterson: podcast appearances and interviews

Cassandra Gay Peterson, born on September 17, 1951, is an American actress best known for portraying the horror hostess character Elvira, Mistress of the Dark. She gained fame through her stage persona on Los Angeles television station KHJ-TV, where she hosted Elvira's Movie Macabre, a weekly presentation of B movies. Peterson was a member of the Los Angeles improvisational and sketch comedy troupe The Groundlings, and her Elvira persona was partly inspired by a Valley girl-type character she created during her time with the troupe. The popularity of Elvira's Movie Macabre led to the production of the 1988 film Elvira: Mistress of the Dark and the 2001 film Elvira's Haunted Hills, both starring Peterson as Elvira. The television show experienced revivals, including a 2010 series featuring Elvira hosting public domain films aired on This TV until 2011, and a 2014 series called 13 Nights of Elvira produced by Hulu. In 2021, she reprised her role for a one-night four-part 40th Anniversary Special aired on Shudder. Peterson has also made cameo appearances as Elvira in various films and television programs, including appearances as a guest commentator during WrestleMania 2 and as a guest judge on shows such as RuPaul's Drag Race, The Boulet Brothers' Dragula, and Halloween Wars. Additionally, she made a cameo in Pee-wee's Big Adventure.