What Happened to Chaz Salvatore Bono?
Chaz Bono is an American writer, actor, musician, and LGBTQ+ rights advocate, widely recognized as the only child of entertainers Sonny Bono and Cher. After publicly identifying as a lesbian in 1995, Bono underwent a highly publicized gender transition from female to male between 2008 and 2010, becoming a prominent voice for transgender visibility and acceptance. He continues to work in entertainment, authoring books, appearing in films and television, and most recently married his longtime partner, Shara Blue Mathes, in March 2026.
Quick Answer
Chaz Bono, the son of Cher and Sonny Bono, is an American actor, writer, and transgender activist. He publicly transitioned from female to male between 2008 and 2010, documenting his journey in the Emmy-nominated film 'Becoming Chaz' and the bestselling book 'Transition'. Bono has since appeared in various television shows and films, including 'American Horror Story', and continues his advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights. As of March 2026, Chaz Bono is married to Shara Blue Mathes, whom he wed on March 8, 2026.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline15 events
Born Chastity Sun Bono
Chaz Bono was born Chastity Sun Bono in Los Angeles, California, the only child of entertainers Sonny Bono and Cher.
Appears on The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour
As a young child, Bono frequently appeared alongside his parents on their popular television variety show.
Ceremony Releases Album
Bono's band, Ceremony, released their only album, 'Hang Out Your Poetry,' featuring Bono on vocals, acoustic guitar, and percussion.
Comes Out as Lesbian
Bono publicly identified as a lesbian in a cover story for the national gay and lesbian magazine, The Advocate.
Publishes 'Family Outing'
Bono co-authored 'Family Outing: A Guide to the Coming Out Process for Gays, Lesbians, and Their Families,' sharing his personal coming-out account.
Begins Gender Transition
Bono began the physical and social process of transitioning from female to male.
Publicly Announces Transition and New Name
Bono's publicist confirmed his transition and that he would now be known as Chaz Bono.
Legal Gender and Name Change Granted
A California court legally granted Bono's request for a gender and name change to Chaz Salvatore Bono.
'Becoming Chaz' Premieres at Sundance
The documentary film chronicling Bono's gender transition debuted at the Sundance Film Festival.
Competes on 'Dancing with the Stars'
Bono became the first openly transgender man to compete on the U.S. version of 'Dancing with the Stars.'
Publishes 'Transition'
Bono released his bestselling memoir, 'Transition: The Story of How I Became a Man,' detailing his journey.
Appears in 'American Horror Story'
Bono had a notable recurring role in the television series 'American Horror Story.'
Stars in 'The Bell Keeper' and 'Bury the Bride'
Bono appeared in the films 'The Bell Keeper' and 'Bury the Bride,' continuing his acting career.
Executive Producer and Actor in 'Little Bites'
Bono served as an executive producer and actor in the horror film 'Little Bites.'
Marries Shara Blue Mathes
Chaz Bono married his longtime partner, artist and designer Shara Blue Mathes, in a ceremony at The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in Los Angeles.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Chaz Salvatore Bono was born Chastity Sun Bono on March 4, 1969, in Los Angeles, California, the only child of pop duo Sonny and Cher. He grew up in the public eye, frequently appearing on 'The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour' in the 1970s. Early in his adult life, Bono pursued a music career, forming the band Ceremony, which released one album, 'Hang Out Your Poetry,' in 1993.
In 1995, Bono publicly came out as a lesbian in a cover story for The Advocate magazine, a significant moment that 'catapulted [him] into a political role' in LGBTQ+ activism. He became a spokesperson for the Human Rights Campaign in 1996 and later served as entertainment media director for the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD). His experiences as a lesbian were chronicled in his 1998 book, 'Family Outing: A Guide to the Coming Out Process for Gays, Lesbians, and Their Families,' followed by the memoir 'The End of Innocence' in 2003.
Bono began his physical and social transition from female to male in mid-2008, a decision confirmed by his publicist in June 2009, along with his new name, Chaz Bono. His legal gender and name change were officially granted by a California court on May 6, 2010. This journey was documented in the Emmy-nominated film 'Becoming Chaz,' which premiered at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival and later aired on the Oprah Winfrey Network. The film earned a GLAAD Media Award for outstanding documentary in 2012. Concurrently, he released the bestselling book 'Transition: The Story of How I Became a Man' in 2011, detailing his personal transformation.
Following his transition, Bono continued to engage with the public, notably competing on the 13th season of 'Dancing with the Stars' in September 2011, becoming the first openly transgender man to appear on a major network reality show in a non-transgender related role. His acting career expanded with recurring roles in television series such as 'American Horror Story' (2016-2017) and appearances in films like 'The Bell Keeper' (2023) and 'Bury the Bride' (2023). He has also taken on production roles, serving as an executive producer for the 2024 horror film 'Little Bites,' in which he also starred.
As of March 2026, Chaz Bono remains active in the entertainment industry and as an LGBTQ+ advocate. He continues to reside in Los Angeles and, on March 8, 2026, he married his longtime partner, Shara Blue Mathes, at The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. The couple had been dating since 2017, and his mother, Cher, was in attendance at the ceremony.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Chaz Salvatore Bono made different choices?