Cher << shair >> (1946-…) is an American singer and actress known for her husky voice and exotic appearance. She first gained popularity as part of the Sonny and Cher singing team with her husband, Salvatore (Sonny) Bono. She later became a respected actress, winning the 1987 Academy Award as best actress for her performance in Moonstruck.
Cher was born in El Centro, California, on May 20, 1946. Her real name was Cherilyn Sarkisian La Piere. She grew up in an unstable home, raised chiefly by her mother, who was married 10 times. Cher began her show-business career as a backup singer in a New York City recording studio. There she met Sonny Bono. They married in 1964. The couple soon made a number of hit recordings, beginning with “I Got You Babe” (1965), and appeared frequently on television. Cher became known for her lavish, revealing costumes as well as her singing. Sonny and Cher starred on the popular TV series “The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour” from 1971 to 1974. They were divorced in 1975. Cher starred in her own show, called simply “Cher,” in 1975 and 1976, and the divorced couple appeared together on “The Sonny and Cher Show” in 1976 and 1977. Sonny Bono later became a Republican congressman from California. He died in a skiing accident in 1998.
Cher made her motion-picture debut in 1966 with Bono in Good Times (1967). She attracted attention as a serious actress in the Broadway play Come Back to the 5 & Dime Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean in 1982 and in the film version the same year. Cher’s other major motion pictures include Silkwood (1983), Mask (1985), The Witches of Eastwick (1987), Suspect (1987), Mermaids (1990), The Player (1992), Faithful (1996), Tea with Mussolini (1999), and Burlesque (2010).
Cher won the 1999 Grammy Award for best dance recording for “Believe.” Cher’s other hit recordings include “Bang, Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)” (1966), “Gypsies, Tramps, and Thieves” (1971), “Half-Breed” (1973), and “Dark Lady” (1974).
In 1969, Sonny and Cher had a daughter, Chastity. In 2008, Chastity underwent sex reassignment (sex change) surgery, becoming a man. In 2010, he changed his name to Chaz. Chaz Bono became an actor, writer, and activist. He campaigned for equal rights for people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender. Transgender is a term for individuals whose identity or self-expression does not match their assigned gender.
