John Paul Sarkisian was an American truck driver best known as the biological father of singer and actress Cher. He was of Armenian descent and worked in several jobs, including trucking, auto repair, and bartending. He married Cher’s mother, Georgia Holt, twice, but both marriages ended in divorce.
John was born in March 1926 in California and died on January 28, 1985, at the age of 58. His relationship with Cher was complicated, and he spent much of her childhood away from the family.
John Paul Sarkisian Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | John Paul Sarkisian |
| Date of birth | March 23, 1926 (commonly reported) |
| Birthplace | Oakland or Berkeley, California, USA |
| Date of death | January 28, 1985 |
| Age at death | 58 years |
| Place of death | Fresno, California, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Armenian-American |
| Profession | Truck driver, mechanic, bartender |
| Father | Ghiragos “George” Sarkisian |
| Mother | Siranousch “Blanche” Dilkian |
| Former wife | Georgia Holt |
| Children | Cher |
| Grandchildren | Chaz Bono and Elijah Blue Allman |
| Burial place | Fresno Memorial Gardens (reported) |
| Cause of death | Not publicly confirmed |
| Known for | Being Cher’s biological father |
John Paul Sarkisian’s Early Life
John Paul Sarkisian was born in California in March 1926. Most biographies give his birthday as March 23, although some published records contain different information.
His birthplace is also reported differently. Some sources identify Oakland, while others name Berkeley, California.
John grew up in an Armenian-American family. His parents had immigrated to the United States, and his family had connections to California’s Armenian community.
Little reliable information is available about his childhood, schools, or education.
John Paul Sarkisian’s Parents
John’s father was Ghiragos “George” Sarkisian, and his mother was Siranousch “Blanche” Dilkian.
Both were of Armenian descent. Published family accounts connect their immigration to the hardship and persecution experienced by Armenians in the early twentieth century.
The exact dates of their arrival in the United States are not clearly documented.
John’s father reportedly helped him start a trucking business by purchasing five trucks.
John Paul Sarkisian’s Siblings
Published biographies identify Lucy Sarkisian Mirgian and Roxanne Sarkisian Hopkins as John’s siblings.
Several half-siblings are also reported:
- Louise Voutsinas
- Pearl Najimian
- Harry Yegan
- Dickson, also called Dick
- Elizabeth
However, family records in the available sources are not fully consistent. Some accounts describe John as the youngest of five children, while others list seven siblings and half-siblings.
The exact relationships between all these family members have not been independently confirmed.
John Paul Sarkisian’s Armenian Heritage
John was American by nationality and Armenian by ancestry.
His parents belonged to an Armenian immigrant family that settled in California.
Through John, Cher inherited her Armenian family background and the Sarkisian surname.
Cher later became more familiar with her father’s relatives and her Armenian heritage.
John Paul Sarkisian’s Career
John Paul Sarkisian worked mainly as a truck driver. He also held several other jobs during his life.
According to accounts discussing Cher’s 2024 memoir, his occupations included:
- Truck driver
- Bartender
- Auto mechanic
- Hairstylist
- Horse breeder
His father reportedly bought five trucks to help him establish a trucking business.
However, the business name, operating dates, and financial details are not publicly established.
John did not work in the entertainment industry like his daughter. His main professional background was in transportation and other practical trades.
Who Was Georgia Holt?
Georgia Holt was an American singer, actress, songwriter, and former model. She was born Jackie Jean Crouch on June 9, 1926.
She worked in entertainment and appeared in films and television programs. She was also known as Cher’s mother.
Georgia had two daughters, Cher and Georganne LaPiere, from different relationships.
She died on December 10, 2022, at the age of 96.
John Paul Sarkisian and Georgia Holt’s First Marriage
John married Georgia Holt in the mid-1940s.
Most published biographies place their first marriage in 1946, although some accounts give June 22, 1945.
Their daughter, Cher, was born on May 20, 1946, in El Centro, California.
The marriage ended while Cher was still very young. Their first divorce reportedly took place in 1947.
Published accounts describe problems involving John’s drug use and gambling during their relationship.
After the separation, Georgia took primary responsibility for raising Cher.
Their Second Marriage in 1965
John and Georgia reunited years after their first divorce.
They married again in Las Vegas, Nevada, in 1965.
Their second marriage lasted about a year. According to published reports, they divorced in September 1966.
They did not have any additional children together.
John Paul Sarkisian’s Reported Drug and Gambling Problems
Several biographies describe John as having struggled with drug use and gambling.
Some accounts of Cher’s childhood specifically mention heroin use.
These reported problems affected his relationship with Georgia Holt and his ability to remain involved in family life.
However, detailed medical records and a complete history of his substance use are not publicly available.
His reported drug problems should not be confused with his cause of death, which has not been confirmed.
Who Is Cher?
Cher is an American singer, actress, and television personality. She was born on May 20, 1946, in El Centro, California.
She became famous during the 1960s as part of the musical duo Sonny & Cher, alongside Sonny Bono.
Their song I Got You Babe became an international hit in 1965.
Cher later built a successful solo career with songs including Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down), Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves, Dark Lady, and Believe.
She also became a successful actress. Her films include Silkwood (1983), Mask (1985), The Witches of Eastwick (1987), and Moonstruck (1987).
Cher won the Academy Award for Best Actress for Moonstruck in 1988. Her other honors include Grammy, Emmy, and Golden Globe awards.
She was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in October 2024.
John Paul Sarkisian’s Relationship With Cher
John was Cher’s biological father, but he was not consistently present during her childhood.
After her parents separated, Cher lived mainly with Georgia Holt.
Her mother faced financial difficulties while raising her children and pursuing work in entertainment.
Some accounts report that Cher spent time in a Catholic orphanage during a period when Georgia could not afford to care for her at home.
John’s reported drug and gambling problems also formed part of the family’s difficulties.
Although he was absent for long periods, John remained connected to Cher through her birth surname and Armenian ancestry.
Cher’s Stepfather and Half-Sister
Georgia Holt later had another daughter, Georganne, with John Southall.
Georganne LaPiere is Cher’s younger maternal half-sister. John Paul Sarkisian was not her biological father.
Georgia later married Gilbert LaPiere, who legally adopted both Cher and Georganne.
Gilbert became an important father figure in Cher’s life.
Cher’s Original Name and the Sarkisian Family
Cher was born Cherilyn Sarkisian, although some shorter biographies refer to her as Cheryl Sarkisian.
Her surname came from John Paul Sarkisian.
After Gilbert LaPiere adopted her, she also used the LaPiere family name.
She later became associated with the surnames Bono and Allman through her marriages to Sonny Bono and Gregg Allman.
In 1979, she legally changed her name to Cher.
Did John Paul Sarkisian Sue Cher?
Published accounts report that John Paul Sarkisian took legal action against Cher in 1975.
The dispute reportedly involved public comments about his drug use and gambling.
Some accounts describe the lawsuit as seeking approximately $4 million.
However, the original court documents and the final outcome of the case have not been established in the available sources.
John Paul Sarkisian’s Grandchildren
John had two publicly known grandchildren through Cher.
Chaz Bono
Chaz Bono was born on March 4, 1969.
He is the child of Cher and her former husband, Sonny Bono.
Chaz has worked as an actor, writer, and public advocate.
Elijah Blue Allman
Elijah Blue Allman was born on July 10, 1976.
He is the son of Cher and musician Gregg Allman.
Elijah is a musician and has performed with the rock band Deadsy.
John Paul Sarkisian’s Later Years
There is limited information about John’s life after his second divorce from Georgia Holt.
His later employment, relationships, and financial circumstances are not well documented.
He remained largely outside public attention, even as Cher became internationally famous.
Some reports claim that Cher was with him during his final days, but this detail has not been independently confirmed.
When Did John Paul Sarkisian Die?
John Paul Sarkisian died on January 28, 1985, in Fresno, California.
He was 58 years old.
His death occurred before Cher received her Academy Award for Moonstruck in 1988.
John Paul Sarkisian’s Cause of Death
The exact cause of John Paul Sarkisian’s death has not been publicly confirmed.
The available reports do not provide a verified medical explanation.
Where Was John Paul Sarkisian Buried?
According to Tuko.co.ke, John was buried at Fresno Memorial Gardens in Fresno, California.
John Paul Sarkisian’s Net Worth
John Paul Sarkisian’s net worth is not reliably known.
He earned a living through trucking and other jobs, but there is no verified information about his total earnings, assets, or estate.
Did John Paul Sarkisian Have Social Media?
John died in 1985, before modern social media platforms existed.
He did not have personal Instagram, Facebook, or other modern social media accounts.
Facts About John Paul Sarkisian
- John Paul Sarkisian was born in California in March 1926.
- His commonly reported birthday is March 23, 1926.
- He was American and of Armenian descent.
- His parents were George Sarkisian and Blanche Dilkian.
- He worked mainly as a truck driver.
- His father reportedly bought five trucks to help him start a business.
- He also reportedly worked as a mechanic, bartender, hairstylist, and horse breeder.
- He married Georgia Holt twice, first in the 1940s and again in 1965.
- His only publicly documented child was Cher.
- He was the grandfather of Chaz Bono and Elijah Blue Allman.
- He reportedly filed a lawsuit against Cher in 1975.
- He died on January 28, 1985, at the age of 58.
- His exact cause of death has not been publicly confirmed.
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