Cher (pron.: /ˈʃɛər/, born Cherilyn Sarkisian, May 20, 1946) is an American singer and actress. A significant popular culture figure for more than five decades, she has been called the Goddess of Pop. Recognized for having brought the sense of female autonomy and self-actualization into the entertainment industry, she is known for her distinctive contralto singing voice and for having worked in various areas of entertainment, as well as for continuously reinventing both her music and image.