Maila Nurmi

Maila Elizabeth Syrjäniemi (December 11, 1922 – January 10, 2008), known professionally as Maila Nurmi, was a Finnish-American actress and television personality. She is best known for creating the character Vampira, a horror hostess character that gained fame on local Los Angeles television in the mid-1950s.

Vampira is known for being one of the first and most iconic horror hostess characters. She would introduce and comment on various horror films during her television appearances, adding a spooky and eerie aura to the viewing experience. Her unique look, which included a revealing black dress and long black hair, became instantly recognizable and memorable.

Aside from her well-known role as Vampira, Maila Nurmi had a relatively short acting career. She appeared in a few films, including the cult classic "Plan 9 from Outer Space" (1959) directed by Ed Wood. She also appeared in the film "The Beat Generation" (1959) and had a small role in the Elvis Presley film "The Wild and the Innocent" (1959).

After the peak of her fame as Vampira, Nurmi faced difficulties maintaining her celebrity status. She struggled to find acting roles and faced financial challenges. However, she continued to make occasional television and film appearances and was often invited to events celebrating horror and cult film genres. Nurmi later became an artist and created sculptures and paintings.

Maila Nurmi passed away on January 10, 2008, at the age of 85. She was cremated and her ashes were scattered at sea in the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of Santa Monica, California. Despite her struggles after the peak of her fame, Nurmi's character Vampira remains an iconic figure in horror culture.