Cher
Biography
Cher, born Cherilyn Sarkisian on May 20, 1946, in El Centro, California, is an American singer, actress, and television personality. Often referred to as the "Goddess of Pop," she is recognized for her distinctive contralto singing voice and for having worked in numerous areas of entertainment, as well as for reinventing both her music and image over a career spanning more than six decades.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Cher's early life was marked by financial hardship. Her father, John Sarkisian, was a truck driver of Armenian-American descent, and her mother, Georgia Holt, was a model and actress. Her parents divorced when she was young, and she was briefly placed in an orphanage. At the age of 16, Cher dropped out of school and moved to Los Angeles. In 1962, she met Salvatore "Sonny" Bono, who was working for record producer Phil Spector. Sonny helped her get work as a backup singer on several of Spector's recordings, including the Ronettes' "Be My Baby" and the Righteous Brothers' "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'".
Sonny & Cher
Initially performing as Caesar & Cleo, Sonny and Cher began their recording career together. They rose to fame in 1965 as the folk-rock duo Sonny & Cher with the release of their hit single "I Got You Babe". The song topped the charts in the United States and the United Kingdom. The duo went on to have several more hits, including "Baby Don't Go" and "The Beat Goes On". Their popularity was further solidified with "The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour," a television variety show that ran from 1971 to 1974 and earned numerous Emmy Award nominations. The couple, who had one child, Chaz Bono, divorced in 1975, which also marked the end of their professional partnership.
Solo Music Career
While still part of Sonny & Cher, Cher launched a successful solo career. In the 1970s, she scored number-one hits with narrative pop songs like "Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves," "Half-Breed," and "Dark Lady". After a period focused on acting, she made a major comeback in the late 1980s with rock albums like "Cher" (1987) and "Heart of Stone" (1989), which included the international hit "If I Could Turn Back Time". A significant peak in her career came in 1998 with the dance-pop album "Believe". The title track became a global phenomenon, introducing the "Cher effect" with its innovative use of Auto-Tune, and earning her a Grammy Award. She is the only artist to have a number-one single on a Billboard chart in seven consecutive decades.
Acting Career
In the early 1980s, Cher transitioned to acting, making her Broadway debut in "Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean" in 1982 and starring in its film adaptation. She received critical acclaim and an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role in "Silkwood" (1983). Her acting career peaked when she won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in the 1987 romantic comedy "Moonstruck". Her other notable film roles include "Mask" (1985), "The Witches of Eastwick" (1987), and "Mermaids" (1990).
Personal Life and Legacy
Cher was married to Sonny Bono from 1964 to 1975. Shortly after their divorce, she married musician Gregg Allman, with whom she had a son, Elijah Blue Allman; their marriage lasted from 1975 to 1979. Cher has been celebrated for her enduring career, her influence on fashion, and as a gay icon. With record sales exceeding 100 million worldwide, she is one of the best-selling music artists in history. Her numerous accolades include an Academy Award, a Grammy Award, an Emmy Award, three Golden Globe Awards, and a Kennedy Center Honor. In 2024, she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.