CASSANDRA PETERSON

When you hear the name Elvira only one person comes to mind: Horror icon and quintessential symbol of all things spooky, the one and only Mistress of the Dark. Played by actress/writer Cassandra Peterson, Elvira has carved out a niche in popular culture that is sure to endure for decades to come.

Back in 1981, who could have imagined the hostess of a local Horror movie show would become a household name?  Elvira was the first horror host ever to be syndicated nationally and has emerged as one of today’s most original and outrageous pop culture icons.

Elvira’s reign as ‘Queen of Halloween’ has spanned more than three decades and includes an IMAX movie, music CDs, books and more than a thousand licensed products.  She co-wrote and starred in the feature films Elvira, Mistress of the Dark and Elvira’s Haunted Hills.

She has made hundreds of film, television and live appearances - including The Grammy Awards, Saturday Night Live, NBC’s Today Show, The Tournament of Roses Parade and reality shows Search for the Next Elvira, RuPaul’s Drag Race, Counting Cars, Face Off, Epic Ink and Halloween Wars.

She most recently produced and starred in Thirteen Nights of Elvira for Hulu.

SAM IRVIN

Hollywood filmmaker / author / journalist Sam Irvin has directed over 45 movies and TV shows, including ELVIRA'S HAUNTED HILLS, OBLIVION, MAGIC ISLAND, GUILTY AS CHARGED, CHRISTMAS LAND and DANTE'S COVE. He co-executive produced Bill Condon’s Oscar-winning GODS AND MONSTERS; worked as Brian De Palma’s assistant on THE FURY and DRESSED TO KILL; and was the historical consultant on Liza Minnelli’s Tony Award-winning Broadway show LIZA’S AT THE PALACE. Sam authored the acclaimed biography KAY THOMPSON: FROM FUNNY FACE TO ELOISE (Simon & Schuster). He formed his own publishing imprint, Knuckle Samwitch Books, and through that enterprise has authored the children’s book parody SAM'S TOILET PAPER CAPER! and the novel ORBGASM: AN EROTIC PULP SCI-FI SATYRICON. Sam has won three Rondo Awards for Best Interview (“Elvira Exposed!” published in SCREEM #36); Best Article (“The Epic Untold Saga Behind FRANKENSTEIN: THE TRUE STORY” published in LITTLE SHOPPE OF HORRORS #38); and Best Commentary (for the Blu-ray of FRANKENSTEIN: THE TRUE STORY released by Shout! Factory). Sam and his husband Gary Bowers reside in Los Angeles.