Happy Birthday wishes go out to Cassandra Peterson, aka "Elvira Mistress of the Dark," who turns 59 year old today. Casandra was born in Manhattan, Kansas, but grew up in Colorado Springs, Co. Casandra has been married 29 years to Mark Pierson and they have a daughter, Sadie, who is 19.

Cassandra graduated from high school at 17. The next day she left for Las Vegas where she became the youngest show girl on the strip at the Dunes Hotel. She dated Elvis Presley and Tom Jones. She toured Europe as the lead singer of a group called "I Latins Ochanats." Back in America, she had a small acting role in the "James Bond" movie, "Diamonds Are Forever" as a showgirl, and played a topless dancer in the movie, "Working Girls."

In September of 1981, Casandra was cast as Elvira, Mistress of the Dark." Elvira hosted the horror movie show "Movie Macabre." Her character quickly gained notoriety with her tight-fitting, low-cut black gown. She spoke in a "valley girl" type speech and made fun of the movies being shown during breaks.

Cassandra continues to market her "Elvira" character with a web site and various items for sale.