Anecdotes

When Fox-TV announced plans to produce an autobiographical movie about Sonny & Cher in 1992, Sonny suggested Kevin Costner to play him and Roseanne Barr as Cher.

Had a reputation for being self-deprecating. Even during his political career, he prided himself on not taking himself -- or being taken -- too seriously.

According to his widow (fourth wife Mary Bono), Sonny Bono was addicted to painkillers at the time of his skiing accident death, and was taking up to 20 pills a day. (1998)

While struggling as a songwriter, he also made deliveries for a local butcher shop. A few music industry people remembered him as the kid who would come in to plug new songs, still wearing a bloodstained butcher's apron, then run out to get back to his route.

Decided he had had enough of show business the day he was on the set of Fantasy Island (1977), shooting a scene with Hervé Villechaize as Tattoo, and misremembered Tattoo's name. Villechaize flew into a rage, sputtering at Bono, and Bono (as he related later) literally asked himself what the hell was he doing there.

Became interested in politics rather late in life, when he decided he wanted a bigger sign for the restaurant he had opened in Palm Springs (California) and ran straight into red tape, dealing with the city government. Bono had never voted or registered before, but resolved to change things by running for mayor. He won the election, served a successful four-year term (lending his name and fame to the local economy), and wound up pursuing a whole new career as a politician.

He was posthumously awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Television at 7020 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California on May 15, 1998, which was four months after his death.

Singer-entertainer who departed from show business and found himself in politics. He became mayor of Palm Springs, California and was eventually elected to the U.S. House of Representatives as Congressman from the State of California, a position he held until his death.

Godfather of Anthony Kiedis.

He was awarded a Golden Palm Star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars in Palm Springs, California on May 18, 1996, which was approximately one and a half years before his death, during his first term in Congress.

Sonny and (his then second wife) Cher were among many Hollywood celebrities who made regular weekend visits to Ralph Helfer's Africa U.S.A. Exotic Animal Ranch in Soledad Canyon, California to pitch in with the chores and to play with the animals.

He was the son of impoverished Sicilian immigrants, who moved to Los Angeles, California when he was seven. After dropping out of high school, he supported himself as a struggling songwriter, waiter, construction worker, truck driver and butcher's assistant.

Also recorded under the names Sonny Christie, Ronny Sommers and Prince Carter.

Elected to the United States House of Representatives, and was sworn in with the rest of the "Class of 1994" (newly elected, first year, first term members of the House of Representatives) on January 3, 1995, serving until January 5, 1998 (his date of death), serving exactly three years and two days in office. He was succeeded by his then (fourth) wife, Mary Bono, when she was elected to his seat by special election, being sworn in on April 7, 1998, which was three months and two days after his death. Sonny's three years in office was one full term and half of a second term, while Mary served approximately fifteen years in office, completing the half a term he was unable to, and then being elected again for seven more full terms, until being defeated at the ballot box, and leaving office on January 3, 2013, exactly two days short of the fifteenth anniversary of his January 5, 1998 death. (1994)

Had four children: daughter, Christine "Christy" Bono (b. June 24, 1958) with first ex-wife, Donna Rankin, son, Chaz Bono (b. March 4, 1969) with second ex-wife, Cher and son, Chesare Elan Bono (b. April 25, 1988) & daughter, Chianna Maria Bono (b. February 2, 1991) with wife, Mary Bono.

Interred at Desert Memorial Park, section B-35, #294, in Cathedral City, California.

Along with Cher, he is mentioned in the lyrics of Shawn Mullins' song "Lullaby".

He was Mayor of Palm Springs.

Biography in: "American National Biography". Supplement 1, pp. 54-55. New York: Oxford University Press (2002).

He was elected congressman for California's 44th District in November 1994.

Auto biography The Beat Goes On.

Half-brother-in-law of Georganne LaPiere.

Wrote his autobiography The Beat Goes On.

Elected Congressman for California's 44th district in :November 1994.

He was a former mayor of Palm Springs.