Sonny Bono

Republican Representative of California's 44th district

Congresses Served

House Terms

February 16, 1935 (62 years old)

Birthday

January 5, 1998

Death

Was an American singer, songwriter, actor, and politician
Formed the singing duo Sonny & Cher with his second wife, Cher
Served as the 16th mayor of Palm Springs, California, from 1988 to 1992
Served as a U.S. representative for California from 1995 until his death in 1998
Began his music career as a songwriter and worked for record producer Phil Spector
Achieved commercial success with hits like “I Got You Babe” and “The Beat Goes On”
Had a solo hit single “Laugh at Me” and released a solo album, Inner Views
Starred in a popular television variety show, The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour
Acted in television series and movies, including roles in Airplane II: The Sequel and Hairspray
Entered politics due to frustrations with local government bureaucracy
Spearheaded the creation of the Palm Springs International Film Festival
Ran for the Republican nomination for the United States Senate in 1992 but lost
Was reelected to Congress in 1996 and served until his death
Championed the restoration of the Salton Sea and brought its plight to national attention
Was married four times and had four children, including Chaz Bono with Cher
Died from injuries incurred in a skiing accident in 1998
Honored posthumously with various tributes, including the naming of the Sonny Bono Copyright Term Extension Act