Overview

Cher (born Cherilyn Sarkisian on May 20, 1946) is an American entertainer whose career has stretched across music, television and film. She is widely recognized for a distinctive contralto voice, bold personal style, and an ability to reinvent herself across changing popular tastes. Over decades she has recorded more than two dozen studio albums, achieved numerous chart hits and received major awards for both acting and music.

Early life and rise to public attention

Raised in a family with artistic connections, Cher began performing as a teenager. She first reached mass attention in the mid-1960s as one half of the pop duo Sonny & Cher with then-husband Sonny Bono. That partnership brought chart success, television exposure and helped launch her long solo career. Her early work combined pop, folk and rock influences and introduced her to a broad audience in the United States and abroad.

Music: recordings and milestones

As a solo artist Cher has released 25 studio albums and achieved many Billboard chart entries. Over the course of her recording career she has accumulated 22 Top 40 singles, including a dozen Top 10 hits and five songs that reached number one. A major late-1990s comeback came with the dance-pop single "Believe," notable for its prominent use of pitch-correction technology that became widely associated with her sound. Her repertoire spans ballads, pop, disco and dance music, and she has continued to tour successfully for decades.

Film, television and awards

In addition to her music, Cher established a substantial screen career. After success on television in the 1960s and 1970s as a performer and variety-show star, she moved into film and earned critical recognition for dramas and comedies. Her portrayal in Moonstruck won the Academy Award for Best Actress, and she has been honored across entertainment fields, receiving a Grammy, an Emmy and multiple Golden Globe awards. Her work in both medium formats demonstrates a rare cross-disciplinary achievement.

Image, influence and notable facts

Cher is as well known for her stage costumes and public persona as for her recordings. Designers and fans have often highlighted her role in popularizing theatrical, fashion-forward looks onstage and on television. She has been cited as an influence by later performers for her longevity, willingness to take risks and ability to move between genres. Cher has also been noted for high-profile public relationships and family life; her mother, Georgia Holt, is a singer and actress, and her children have been public figures in their own right.

Further reading and resources

Note: This article summarizes widely known aspects of Cher's career. For detailed discographies, filmographies, and documentation of awards, consult the linked resources above.