Cassandra Peterson

Personal context

Summary

Cassandra Peterson is an actor, comedian, and writer best known for creating and performing Elvira, the horror hostess featured in Elvira’s Movie Macabre and Elvira, Mistress of the Dark. Her work blends horror and camp comedy, and she has described Elvira as a feminist character who takes charge rather than waiting for a man to save her. Peterson has also spoken positively about women’s place in horror and has spent decades appearing in PETA animal-rights campaigns and protests. Her public record includes no party campaigning or DEI affiliations; she has described a long relationship with a woman but said she does not identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or queer.