Horrifying Facts About Cassandra Peterson, The Real Elvira
Cassandra Peterson rose to fame for her horror hostess role of Elvira. Her real life was every bit as terrifying—and titillating—as the films she presented to audiences.
1. She Led A Life Of Horror And Humor
Horror film fans would know Cassandra Peterson as the sultry, silly, and sinister horror hostess Elvira. But, behind her sable black hair and creepy cleavage, Peterson’s real life was equally full of horrors and hilarities.
From her fateful date with the King of Rock and Roll to her terrifying, tell-all memoirs, Peterson left her fans with… “unpleasant dreams”.
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2. She Was A Midwestern Girl
Cassandra Peterson would go on to become synonymous with the Halloween season. But she wasn’t born in some dark, mysterious castle. She was born in sunny Manhattan, Kansas on September 17, 1951. However, after the town was submerged under the Turtle Creek Reservoir, Peterson and her family moved to Colorado Springs, where things took a more dramatic turn.
3. She Was Horribly Disfigured
As Elvira, Peterson would introduce the world to monsters of all kinds—but the real horror began when she was just a child. As a toddler, Peterson was scalded by boiling water causing severe burns. It took skin grafts covering more than 35% of her body and three long months in the hospital to heal. Like a true vampire, she hid her imperfections well.
4. She Only Showed Off The “Good Bits”
Peterson’s iconic fitted Elvira dress was equally sinister and sultry. It was also just very smart. After her childhood accident, Peterson was left with scars on her neck and shoulders. The gown’s strategic cut and her long, dark hair helped cover these marks. In classic Elvira style, Peterson joked that her trademark dress revealed nothing but “the good bits”.
