A Grimy Beanie, a Cream Corn Casserole, and a Grateful Actor

October 3, 2025:In a tale that blends Hollywood charm with culinary chaos, actress and horror icon Cassandra Peterson, better known as Elvira, recounts a memorable Thanksgiving dinner from the early 1990s involving the late actor River Phoenix.

An Unexpected Guest List

Peterson had planned a turkey-free, PETA-friendly Thanksgiving at her haunted mansion, which she later sold to Brad Pitt. The guest list included notable figures such as Melissa Etheridge, Linda Blair, Casey Kasem, and K.D. Lang. However, the evening took an unexpected turn when Phoenix arrived late, bringing along his young siblings, including Joaquin Phoenix, then known as Leaf. The uninvited guests caused a bit of a stir, leading Peterson to scramble for additional seating arrangements.

The Grimy Beanie Incident

As the dinner progressed, Peterson carried out a large cream corn casserole. Admiring the dish, Phoenix leaned over to get a closer look, causing his “grimy old beanie” to fall into the casserole. Peterson, initially frustrated, retrieved the hat, removed the hairs, and decided to serve the dish anyway, not wanting to waste the hours of preparation.

A Grateful Gesture

Despite the earlier mishap, Phoenix expressed his gratitude to Peterson. At the end of the evening, he gave her a heartfelt hug and thanked her for the meal, stating it was “the most wonderful Thanksgiving” he and his family had ever had. Peterson’s anger melted away, and she appreciated his kind gesture.

A Spooky Cookbook and a Lasting Memory

This story is one of many shared by Peterson in her newly released cookbook, Elvira’s Cookbook From Hell. The book offers a collection of spooky recipes and crafts, catering to fans who embrace the gothic lifestyle year-round. While the cookbook doesn’t include the infamous “hat casserole” recipe, it does feature dishes like Dead Man’s Corpse Loaf and Eyeballs Spook-ghetti, perfect for those looking to add a touch of the macabre to their meals.