Cassandra Gay Peterson is an American actress born in Manhattan, Kansas in 1951. She is best known for her portrayal of Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, a horror hostess character that became iconic in entertainment. Peterson gained fame on Los Angeles television station KHJ-TV in her stage persona as Elvira, hosting Elvira's Movie Macabre, a weekly program featuring B movies. The character became her signature role and established her presence in popular culture. Before achieving widespread recognition as Elvira, Peterson was a member of the Los Angeles-based improvisational and sketch comedy troupe the Groundlings. She based her Elvira persona in part on a "Valley girl"-type character she had created while performing with the troupe.