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August 1, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
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Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
People File • Given Name

Chaz Bono

Chaz Bono is an American writer, musician, actor, and LGBTQ rights activist.

Updated August 1, 20261 min readCited sources

Chaz Bono is an American writer, musician, actor, and LGBTQ rights activist. He is the only child of entertainers Cher and Sonny Bono.

Early life

Born Chastity Sun Bono on March 4, 1969, in Los Angeles, California, Chaz Bono is the only child of Cher and Sonny Bono. He appeared on television as a child during the run of *The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour*.

Transition and identity

Bono publicly discussed his female-to-male transition and is identified in biographical sources as a trans man. He began his gender transition in 2008 and has since become a prominent advocate for LGBTQ rights.

Career and television

Bono has worked as a writer, musician, actor, and activist. He is known for television appearances including *American Horror Story* and *Curb Your Enthusiasm*, and he competed on season 13 of *Dancing with the Stars* in 2011.

In short

  • Only child of Cher and Sonny Bono.
  • Publicly transitioned from female to male in 2008.
  • Competed on Dancing with the Stars in 2011.
  • LGBTQ rights activist.

Quick questions

Who is Chaz Bono?
Chaz Bono is an American writer, musician, actor, and LGBTQ rights activist, and the only child of Cher and Sonny Bono.
Chaz Bono transition
Bono publicly discussed his female-to-male transition and is identified in biographical sources as a trans man; sources note that he began transitioning in 2008.
Chaz Bono Dancing with the Stars
Chaz Bono competed on season 13 of *Dancing with the Stars* in 2011.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaz_Bono
    Supports: Birth name, date and place of birth, parents, public identity as a trans man, and general biography.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Chaz-Bono
    Supports: Birth date, birthplace, age, occupation, and transition-related biography.
  3. TV Insider — https://www.tvinsider.com/people/chaz-bono/
    Supports: Birth date, age, parents, and general profile information.
  4. South China Morning Post — https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/entertainment/article/3310886/who-chers-son-chaz-bono-and-has-he-banned-her-his-upcoming-wedding-lgbtq-advocate-and-author-set
    Supports: Entertainment career, LGBTQ advocacy, and television/film appearances.
  5. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0095106/
    Supports: Birth name, birth date, birthplace, occupation, and selected credits.
  6. Dancing with the Stars Wiki — https://dancingwiththestars.fandom.com/wiki/Chaz_Bono
    Supports: Season 13 participation in Dancing with the Stars.