Cassandra's desire to emulate Ann-Margret led to an evening with the legendary Elvis Presley, who saw her perform and encouraged her to pursue a singing career. Off to Europe, Cassandra toured extensively as lead singer for an Italian rock band. Eventually settling in Rome, where she became fluent in Italian, Cassandra met renowned director, Federico Fellini, who cast her in his classic film, "Fellini's Roma".
Returning stateside, Cassandra formed her own nightclub review, "Mama's Boys", which toured the national club circuit. In the late 70's, she joined the satiric improvisational troupe, The Groundlings, which also produced such notables as Phil Hartman, Pee Wee Herman, Jon Lovitz and Julia Sweeney. There she honed her now renowned comedic skills as both a writer and performer.
Film and television appearances such as "Cheech And Chong's Next Movie", "Fantasy Island", "Happy Days" and "St. Elsewhere" followed, but Cassandra recalls, "I was your typical struggling actress. I went to every audition, took a million acting, dancing and singing lessons and spent years wondering where my next meal was coming from."
It was the fall of 1981, with the birth of her character, Elvira, that it all changed. While she has since played herself in many film and television shows including "Echo Park", "Alan Quartermain" and "Pee Wee's Big Adventure", Cassandra Peterson ultimately combines her numerous talents into an intriguing persona which has not only become a Halloween icon, but a "vamp" for all seasons.
First person to be broadcast in 3-D in America.
First female celebrity to do a national beer campaign.
First celebrity to market their own beer.
First female to twirl tassels on a national network.
First person to produce a music video in large format 3-D.
What began her huge gain in popularity was when KHJ-TV on May 28, 1982 aired the Vincent Price 3-D thriller "The Mad Magician" with both the movie and the horror vamp herself broadcasted in 3-D. The first 3-D broadcast on television. The 2.7 million 3-D glasses sold in and around Los Angeles in the period of time ranging from the shows announcement until it's time of airing sold like hot cakes. Sadly Elvira got none of the profit from the success of the glasses.
Her 3-D event lead to her first appearance on "The Tonight Show" the following week and also a syndication deal that slowly spread her show ("Movie Macabr�") state by state across the USA. With the notable exception of the state of New York. 'Movie Macabr�' was limited in the Big Apple to viewers who had cable TV.
Elvira's Haunted Hills (2002)
Acting On Impulse (1993)
Elvira, Mistress Of The Dark (1988)
Allan Quatermain And Lost City Of Gold (1987)
Echo Park (1985)
Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1985)
Jekyll & Hyde ... Together Again (1982)
King Of The Mountain (1981)
The Working Girls (1973)
