31 Days of Horror 2015: Actor Trading Cards: Elvira

‘ELVIRA’

Created: 1981 in Los Angeles, CA
Height: 5’7

Personal Quote:

“There’s nothing wrong with G-rated movies, as long as there’s lots of sex and violence.”

“My name’s Elvira but you can call me ‘tonight’.”

Did You Know?

Inducted into the Horror Host Hall of Fame in 2012

 

SUMMARY:

‘Elvira’ (aka “The Hostess with the Mostess”) was created by comedian actress Cassandra Peterson in 1981 and next to Dracula, was the most iconic Halloween persona during my childhood. While I wasn’t actually allowed to watch her show, Elvira’s Movie Macabre, I was still very aware of who she was thanks to magazines, commercials, her appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, and her guest roles on popular 80’s TV shows like CHiPs and Fantasy Island. In 2007, Peterson attempted to find her replacement via a reality television contest, likening the Elvira persona to ‘Batman’ as a character who could eventually be played by several actors over the years. To date, however, the reality show’s winner, April Wahlin, has only made a few limited convention appearances as Peterson has continued to act the part of Elvira herself, including 13 Nights of Elvira which ran on Hulu in 2014.

HIGHLIGHTS:
Best Known For: Elvira’s Movie Macabre, Elvira: Mistress of the Dark,  Elvira’s Thriller Theatre, and 13 Nights of Elvira.

Breakout Role (according to the masses): Elvira’s Movie Macabre

Breakout Role (according to Leo Craven): Coors Light Commercial
– I was 9 years old when Elvira started doing commercials for Coors Light. I loved Halloween so as soon as I was introduced to her character, I began my quest to learn as much as I could about her…unfortunately, this was a slow process since the internet didn’t exist yet and we didn’t have cable at my house.

Box Office Status: Cult Champion

Next Project to Look Out for: Elvira will be at Stan Lee’s Comikaze Expo in Los Angeles, CA for Halloween

Most Famous Role: “Elvira in one of her signature hostess appearances for Midnight Madness: She Demons”:

AWARDS:

Nominated for Best Actress (Saturn Award – Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films) in 1990 for “Elvira:  Mistress of the Dark”

ONE LAST THING:

Elvira on the The Tonight Show in 1986 with legendary horror actor Vincent Price:

AND ONE MORE THING:

Here is Elvira in one of her classic Coors Light commercials from the 80’s:

And her next commercial series with Mug Rootbeer in the early 90’s