Singer and actress Cher turns 80-years-old

(NBC, KYMA) - Oscar-winning actress and Grammy Award-winning singer Cher turns 80-years-old Wednesday.

Cher was born Cheryl Sarkisian in El Centro, California in 1946. She left school and home at age 16, taking acting classes and dancing in nightclubs for money.

Cher became a star through her singing, ultimately recording number one hits in seven different decades, with songs like "I Got You Babe," "Gypsys, Tramps and Thieves," "Strong Enough," "If I Could Turn Back Time" and "Believe."

She then lit up the silver screen, winning an Oscar for her performance in 1987's "Moonstruck," where she co-starred with Nicolas Cage.

On TV, Cher hosted a popular variety show with her then-husband Sonny Bono called the "Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour" that ran for three years in the 1960s, earning her a Golden Globe Award.

With all her accomplishments, Cher has become an American icon like unlike any other.