Gunnar Peterson (born October 15, 1958) is an American personal trainer, celebrity trainer, and author. He is best known for his work with celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez, Sylvester Stallone, and Matthew McConaughey.
Peterson was born in Santa Monica, California, and grew up in Malibu. His father was a doctor and his mother was a nurse. He has two older sisters. Peterson was a talented athlete in his youth, playing football and baseball in high school. He also competed in track and field, and was a member of the Junior National Team in the decathlon.
Peterson attended the University of California, Los Angeles on an athletic scholarship, but injuries ended his athletic career. He graduated with a degree in kinesiology.
After college, Peterson began working as a personal trainer. He soon began working with celebrities, and has since worked with some of the biggest names in Hollywood. He is known for his intense training methods, which have helped his clients achieve amazing results.
Peterson has also authored several books on fitness and nutrition. His most recent book, The Gunnar Method, was published in 2016.
Peterson is married to former model Lisa Gleave. The couple has three children together.
Peterson has an estimated net worth of $5 million.
General Info
Net Worth
1.53 billion USD, $2.5 million
Date Of Birth
September 17, 1951
Height
1.7 m
Profession
Screenwriter, Television producer, Presenter, Activist, Voice Actor, Showgirl, Singer
Education
General William J. Palmer High School
Nationality
American
Family
Spouse
Mark Pierson
Children
Sadie Pierson
Parents
Dale Peterson
Accomplishments
Movies
Elvira: Mistress of the Dark, The Working Girls, Elvira's Haunted Hills, Stroker Ace, All About Evil, Allan Quatermain and the Lost City of Gold, Pee-wee's Big Adventure, The Haunted World of El Superbeasto, Cheech & Chong's Next Movie, Encounter in the Third Dimension, Roma, Full Moon of the Virgin...
TV Shows
The Search for the Next Elvira, Elvira's Movie Macabre, RuPaul's Drag Race
As Elvira: Beauty mark (mole) under her right eye, black dress with the plunging neckline and slit on the right side, ruby ring, snake-shapped earrings, black fingernails, black pumps, the dagger she stores on her belt, and her bouffant hairstyle.
Quotes
#
Quote
1
What's rather ironic is that the Oak Ridge Boys wrote a song about me, yet we've never opened for each other. We really should, one of these days!
2
[In 2014, on Elvis Presley giving her some advice] He is one hundred percent responsible for me getting out of Vegas and going on with my career. Elvis said to me, "You don't want to stay here. This is not a town you should be in." And I don't think if that would've come from anybody but Elvis, I would've done it.
3
[In 2014, on her dream date with Elvis Presley] I was a big groupie. I loved music. I got to realize the dream of actually meeting Elvis and actually going out on a date with Elvis, so that was a dream come true for me. There was a lot of making out going on. We had a great time.
4
[on her career before she landed her "Elvira" job in 1981] I was your typical struggling actress. I went to every audition, took a million acting, dancing and singing lessons, and spent years wondering where my next meal was coming from.
5
[In 1998, reacting to being told that Monica Lewinsky liked to compare herself to Elvira] At least, I get my little black dress cleaned once in a while.
Facts
#
Fact
1
Has one daughter: Sadie Pierson (born 1991).
2
Inducted into the Horror Host Hall of Fame in 2012, as her character Elvira, Mistress of the Dark.
3
Auditioned for the role of Ginger Grant in the third "Gilligan's Island" television movie (1981).
4
She was the stripper in the background on the cover of Tom Waits 1976 album "Small Change".
5
Malia Nurni, the original Maila Nurmi, once sued her for stealing her character without consulting her.
6
Although she has appeared in nude layouts, she has never appeared nude as Elvira, Mistress of the Dark.
7
Has hosted the Halloween themed amusement park Knott's Scary Farm in Buena Park, California, from 1982 - 2001.
8
Was scalded by boiling water when she was five years old. Underwent 17 skin grafting operations over the course of her childhood to repair the scar tissue. Now covers some of her remaining scars (around neck and shoulders) with make-up or clothing.
9
In 2002, she licensed the name and likeness of Elvira to International Game Technologies for use in an Elvira-themed video slot machine.
10
In 1996, she licensed the name and likeness of Elvira to Midway Manufacturing (a division of WMS Gaming) for the pinball game "Scared Stiff".
11
In 1989, she licensed the name and likeness of Elvira to Midway Manufacturing (a division of WMS Gaming) for the pinball game "Elvira and the Party Monsters".
12
Former member of the improvisational comedy group The Groundlings.
13
Once was a complete vegetarian, now eats dairy plus chicken and fish.
14
Attended and graduated from Palmer High School in Colorado Springs, Colorado (1969).
