Elvira Opens Up About Late Mentors Phil Hartman and Paul Reubens — and the Emotional Dreams She Has About Them (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Cassandra Peterson and Paul Reubens in 1985.Photo:Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Cassandra Peterson is remembering the comedy greats who came before her.

“I liked comedy, but I really decided [it was for me] when I went to The Groundlings, and mostly because I studied Phil Hartman, John Paragon andPaul Reubens,” the 73-year-old says. “They were my mentors and I just wanted to be like them, so they became my teachers and best friends. They really radically changed my comedy chops and everything.”

To help keep their memory alive, Peterson says she has “big pictures of them all in [her] office” that she looks at every day. She also dreams about her fellow Groundlings alumni on occasion.

“It was so weird! The other night — I’m not kidding, about a week ago — I had a dream that I was coming here. And in the dream, I was holding hands with Phil, John and Paul and we were dancing together, like to a waltz. We were like ‘1, 2, 3’ and we were dancing, and it was just them and me and we were in this big ballroom with all these people around, and I woke up sobbing,” she says, fighting back tears.

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“I wouldn’t be who I am or where I am in my career without The Groundlings. I guarantee you. It was 100% life-changing for me.”

Cassandra Peterson at The Groundlings' 50th anniversary celebration in L.A. in October 2024.Amanda Edwards/Getty

Amanda Edwards/Getty

Peterson joined the LA-based Groundlings in 1979 where she created herElvira persona, a Mistress of the Dark horror host known for her signature Valley girl voice, campy jokes and Morticia Addams-esque outfit.

Though shelost 11,000 social media followerswhen she initially shared the news, she later gained 60,000 more.

source: people.com