Cher 1945 - . US Entertainer. Born Cherilyn Sarkisian in El Centro, California. Her first break came when she was asked by Sonny Bono, one of Phil Spector’s record producers, to join him on club dates. In 1965 they had a hit record with their recording of ‘I got you babe’. Cher split with Sonny Bono and went on to have hits as a solo artist. Alongside her recording career she enjoyed success as an actress culminating with an Oscar for best actress in the 1988 film Moonstruck.