Wikipedia

Chaz Bono

Chaz Salvatore Bono[1](bornChastity Sun Bono;March 4, 1969) is an American writer, musician and actor. His parents are entertainersSonny BonoandCher,and he became widely known in appearances as a child on their television show,The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour.[2][3]

Chaz Bono
Bono in 2017
Born
Chastity Sun Bono

(1969-03-04)March 4, 1969(age 55)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Other namesChaz Salvatore Bono
Occupations
  • Writer
  • musician
  • actor
Years active1972–present
Parents
RelativesElijah Blue Allman(half-brother)
Georgia Holt(grandmother)

Bono is out as atrans man.In 1995, while then presenting as a woman, and several years after beingoutedas lesbian by the tabloid press, Bono publicly self-identified as a lesbian in a cover story in a leading American gay monthly magazine,The Advocate.Bono eventually went on to discuss the process ofcoming outto oneself and others in two books.Family Outing: A Guide to the Coming Out Process for Gays, Lesbians, and Their Families(1998) includes his coming-out account. The memoirThe End of Innocence(2003) discusses his outing, music career, and partner Joan's death fromnon-Hodgkin's lymphoma.[4]

Between 2008 and 2010, Bono sought out gender-affirming care, commonly calledgender transition.A two-partEntertainment Tonightfeature in June 2009 explained that his medical transition had started a year before.[5]In May 2010, he legally changed his ID to match his gender and name.[6]A documentary on Bono's experience,Becoming Chaz,was screened at the 2011Sundance Film Festivaland later made its television debut on theOprah Winfrey Network.[7][8]

Early life

Chaz Bono[a]with Sonny Bono in 1974

Bono was born in Los Angeles, California, the only child ofCherandSonny Bonoof the pop duoSonny & Cher,stars of a TV variety show on which the young child often appeared. Bono was named after the filmChastity,which was produced by Sonny and in which Cher (in her first solo role in a feature film) played abisexualwoman.[9]Through his mother, Bono is ofArmenian,Irish, English, and German ancestry. He is of Italian descent through his father.[10][11]

Bono was enrolled at theFiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Artsin New York City.[12]Bono came out to both parents as a lesbian at age 18. InFamily Outing,Bono wrote that, "as a child, I always felt there was something different about me. I'd look at other girls my age and feel perplexed by their obvious interest in the latest fashion, which boy in class was the cutest, and who looked the most like cover girlChristie Brinkley.When I was 13, I finally found a name for exactly how I was different. I realized I was gay. "[13]

Ceremony

Bono began a short music career in 1988 with the band Ceremony,[4]which released one album,Hang Out Your Poetry,in 1993. The band featured Bono on vocals, acoustic guitar, and percussion. Other members wereSteve March Tormé(backup vocals), Heidi Shink a.k.a. Chance,Pete McRae,Steve Bauman, Louis Ruiz, and Bryn Mathieu. All but one of the band's songs were written or co-written by Bono, Shink, andMark Hudson.They used no synthesizers or digital effects on the album; Shink noted, "We turned our back on technology. [... ] It's reminiscent of the 60s, but more a tip of the hat than emulating it. We took the music we love and rejuvenated it, made it 90s."[14]Critical reception of the album was lukewarm, with Roch Parisien of Allmusic describingHang Out Your Poetryas a mildly psychedelic take on early 1990s pop, "pleasant, accessible, well-produced ear-candy that's ultimately toothless".[15]

The songs "Could've Been Love" and "Ready for Love" were released as singles from the album. Sonny and Cher also recorded backing vocals for the track "Livin' It Up" on the album.

LGBT activism

Bono at the 2012GLAAD Awards

In April 1995, Bono came out as a lesbian in an interview withThe Advocate,a national gay and lesbian magazine.[16]The 1998 bookFamily Outingdetailed how Bono's coming out "catapulted me into a political role that has transformed my life, providing me with affirmation as a lesbian, as a woman, and as an individual."[17]In the same book, Bono reported that Cher, who was both a gay icon and an ally ofLGBTcommunities, was quite uncomfortable with the news at first and "went ballistic"[18]before coming to terms with it: "By August 1996, one year after I came out publicly, my mother had progressed so far that she agreed to 'come out' herself on the cover ofThe Advocateas the proud mother of a lesbian daughter. "[17]Cher has since become an outspokenLGBT rightsactivist.

Bono's paternal relationship became strained after his father became aRepublicanCongressmanfrom California. The differences in their political views separated them, and the two had not spoken for more than a year at the time of Sonny's fatal skiing accident in January 1998.[16]

Bono worked as a writer at large forThe Advocate.[4]As a social activist, Bono became a spokesperson for theHuman Rights Campaign,promotedNational Coming Out Day,campaigned for the reelection ofBill Clintonfor US president, campaigned against theDefense of Marriage Act,and served as Entertainment Media Director for theGay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation(GLAAD).[4]Bono was a team captain forCelebrity Fit Club 3(2006) and was supported by girlfriend Jennifer Elia, who orchestrated exercise and training sessions.[5]

In June 2016, theHuman Rights Campaignreleased a video in tribute to the victims of theOrlando nightclub shooting;in the video, Bono and others told the stories of the people killed there.[19][20]

Transition

In mid-2008, Bono began undergoing a physical and socialtransitionfromfemale to male.This was confirmed in June 2009 by his publicist,[5]who identified Bono's name asChaz Bonoand said, "It is Chaz's hope that his choice to transition will open the hearts and minds of the public regarding this issue, just as his coming out did."[21]GLAADand theEmpowering Spirits Foundationwere quick to offer praise and support for the announcement.[22]Bono's legal transition was completed on May 6, 2010, when a California court granted his request for a gender and name change.[6][23]Bono madeBecoming Chaz,a documentary film about his transition that premiered at the 2011Sundance Film Festival.TheOprah Winfrey Networkacquired the rights to the documentary and debuted it on May 10, 2011.[24]

In September 2011, he became a competitor on the13th seasonof the U.S. version ofDancing with the Stars,paired with professional ballroom dancerLacey Schwimmer.[25]The duo was eliminated on October 25, 2011.[26]This was the first time an openly transgender man starred on a major network television show for something unrelated to being transgender.[27]

His book,Transition: Becoming Who I Was Always Meant to Bewas published in 2012, making him the first person of Armenian descent to publish a memoir about being an openly transgender man.[28]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1994 Bar Girls[a] Scorp'
2004 Fronterz[a]
2016 Dirty Jerry the Hoarder
2019 3 from Hell Digby Neville
2020 Disclosure: Trans Lives on Screen Himself Documentary film
2020 Reboot Camp Herbert mockumentary
2023 The Bell Keeper Sheriff Carlson
2024 Little Bites Paul Also executive producer

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1972–77 The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour[a] Himself 32 episodes
1975 Cher[a] Himself Episode 2.14
1997 Ellen[a] The Moderator Episode: "Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah"
2011 Becoming Chaz Himself Documentary film
Dancing with the Stars Himself 6 episodes
2012 Degrassi: The Next Generation Himself Episode: "Tonight, Tonight: Part 2"
2013 The Secret Life of the American Teenager Himself Episode: "To Each Her Own"
2014 RuPaul's Drag Race Himself/Guest Judge "Queens of Talk"[29]

"Reunited!"[30]

2016 The Bold and the Beautiful Reverend Rydale 5 episodes
American Horror Story: Roanoke Brian Wells (Lot Polk, re-enactment) 4 episodes
Where the Bears Are Gavin Kelly 3 episodes
2017 American Horror Story: Cult Gary K. Longstreet 8 episodes
2018 Adi Shankar's Gods and Secrets Upcoming series
2020 Curb Your Enthusiasm Joey Funkhouser Episode: "The Spite Store"

Bibliography

  • Family Outing[a](with Billie Fitzpatrick) (1998). Little, Brown and Company. pp. 272.ISBN978-0316102339
  • The End of Innocence: A Memoir[a](withMichele Kort) (2003). pp. 232.ISBN978-1555837952
  • Transition: The story of how I became a man(with Billie Fitzpatrick) (2011). New York: Dutton.ISBN978-0525952145
  • Transition: Becoming Who I Was Always Meant to Be(with Billie Fitzpatrick) (2012 paperback). Plume. pp. 272.ISBN978-0452298002

Notes

  1. ^abcdefghasChastity Bono

References

  1. ^"Cher's son now officially a man".BBC News.May 7, 2010.Archivedfrom the original on August 31, 2017.RetrievedNovember 14,2011.
  2. ^"Chastity Bono Undergoing Gender Change".TV Guide.June 11, 2009.Archivedfrom the original on October 29, 2011.RetrievedJune 11,2009.
  3. ^"Chastity Bono is Chaz Bono".Right Celebrity. June 11, 2009. Archived fromthe originalon June 15, 2009.RetrievedJune 11,2009.
  4. ^abcdMarcus, Lydia (March 21, 2006)."Interview with Chastity Bono".AfterEllen. Archived fromthe originalon December 21, 2007.RetrievedFebruary 19,2007.
  5. ^abc"Chaz Bono", June 15–16, 2009,Entertainment Tonight.
  6. ^ab"Chaz Bono granted gender and name change".Fox News Channel.May 6, 2010. Archived fromthe originalon January 6, 2015.
  7. ^"Chaz Bono Documentary To Debut on OWN | Access Hollywood – Celebrity News, Photos & Videos".Access Hollywood.Archivedfrom the original on November 14, 2011.RetrievedNovember 14,2011.
  8. ^"Chaz Bono Documentary,Becoming Chaz,to Have World Television Premiere on OWN ".Oprah.com.Archivedfrom the original on July 27, 2020.RetrievedApril 30,2020.
  9. ^Bryant, Wayne, M. (1996).Bisexual Characters in Film, from Anaïs to Zee.Haworth Press. p. 117.ISBN978-0-7890-0142-9
  10. ^Bego 2001,p. 11: Sarkisian's profession;Berman 2001,p. 17: Sarkisian's nationality and personal problems, Crouch's profession;Cheever 1993:Crouch's ancestry.
  11. ^"Sonny Bono Biography".Yahoo! Movies. Archived fromthe originalon February 17, 2010.RetrievedJanuary 1,2024.
  12. ^"Jennifer Aniston & Chaz Bono in High School Together (PHOTO)".September 15, 2011.Archivedfrom the original on April 2, 2021.RetrievedOctober 10,2020.
  13. ^Bono, Chaz (as Chastity); Fitzpatrick, Billy (1998).Family Outing.New York: Little, Brown. p. vii.ISBN0-316-10233-4.
  14. ^Krbechek, Randy (December 22, 1993)."Reviews of Ceremony | Hang Out Your Poetry, The Dead Milkmen | Not Richard, But Dick, and Al Stewart concert".PSNW.Archived fromthe originalon June 16, 2009.RetrievedMarch 12,2018.
  15. ^Roch Parisien."Hang Out Your Poetry".AllMusic.Archivedfrom the original on October 16, 2015.RetrievedApril 27,2015.
  16. ^abFreydkin, Donna (October 14, 1998)."Chastity Bono opens up about coming out".CNN.Archivedfrom the original on March 20, 2007.RetrievedFebruary 20,2007.
  17. ^abBono, Chaz (as Chastity); Fitzpatrick, Billy (1998).Family Outing.New York: Little, Brown. p. viii.ISBN0-316-10233-4.
  18. ^Bono, Chaz (as Chastity); Fitzpatrick, Billy (1998).Family Outing.New York: Little, Brown. p.207.ISBN0-316-10233-4.
  19. ^"49 Celebrities Honor 49 Victims of Orlando Tragedy | Human Rights Campaign".Hrc.org. Archived fromthe originalon August 23, 2016.RetrievedJune 30,2016.
  20. ^Rothaus, Steve (June 12, 2016)."Pulse Orlando shooting scene a popular LGBT club where employees, patrons 'like family'".The Miami Herald.Archivedfrom the original on June 15, 2016.RetrievedJune 15,2016.
  21. ^"Chastity Bono Undergoing Gender Change".TV Guide.June 11, 2009.Archivedfrom the original on March 21, 2017.RetrievedJanuary 8,2017.
  22. ^"ESF Applauds Chastity Bono's Gender Transition Announcement"(PDF).Empowering Spirits Foundation Press Release. June 11, 2009. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on June 16, 2009.RetrievedJune 11,2009.
  23. ^"Chaz Bono, Cher's child, becomes a man after Southern Californian judges grants gender change".Herald Sun.May 7, 2010.Archivedfrom the original on June 14, 2011.RetrievedMay 7,2010.
  24. ^Byrge, Duane (January 24, 2011)."SUNDANCE REVIEW: 'Becoming Chaz' Is a Powerful Study in Personal Courage".The Hollywood Reporter.Archivedfrom the original on October 1, 2019.RetrievedMay 20,2019.
  25. ^"BBC News – Cher berates 'bigots' attack on son's role in TV show".BBC.September 2, 2011.Archivedfrom the original on November 24, 2011.RetrievedNovember 14,2011.
  26. ^Corneau, Allison (October 26, 2011)."Dancing With the Stars: Chaz Bono Sent Home".Us.Archivedfrom the original on October 28, 2011.RetrievedNovember 27,2011.
  27. ^"14 Reasons That Made 2011 Great for Trans People".Advocate.com. December 28, 2011.Archivedfrom the original on October 7, 2013.RetrievedOctober 5,2013.
  28. ^"Transition by Chaz Bono".The Queer Armenian Library. September 28, 2020.RetrievedJanuary 1,2024.
  29. ^Rezsnyak, Eric.""RuPaul's Drag Race" Season 6, Episode 9: Talk Show, Balk Show ".CITY News.Archivedfrom the original on February 5, 2021.RetrievedJanuary 27,2021.
  30. ^"Chaz Bono and Damiana on the RuPaul's Drag Race Season 6 Finale Red Carpet".The WOW Report.May 23, 2014.Archivedfrom the original on February 1, 2021.RetrievedJanuary 27,2021.

Works cited

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chaz_Bono&oldid=1259037878"