John Paul Sarkisian was an Armenian-American man best known as the biological father of the famous singer and actress Cher. He was born on March 23, 1926, in Oakland, California, and passed away on January 28, 1985, in Fresno, California. While Cher became one of the biggest names in music and movies, her father lived a very different life. He worked simple jobs, faced addiction problems, and had a broken relationship with his daughter. His story gives us a closer look at the family behind one of the world’s most loved entertainers.
Biography Table
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | John Paul Sarkisian |
| Nickname | Johnnie |
| Date of Birth | March 23, 1926 |
| Place of Birth | Oakland, Alameda County, California, USA |
| Date of Death | January 28, 1985 |
| Place of Death | Fresno, California, USA |
| Age at Death | 58 years old |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Armenian-American |
| Religion | Christian |
| Father | Ghiragos “George” Sarkisian |
| Mother | Siranousch “Blanche” Dilkian |
| Siblings | Lucy Sarkisian Mirgian, Roxanne Sarkisian Hopkins |
| Half-Siblings | Pearl Najimian, Louise Voutsinas, Harry Yegan, Elizabeth, Dick |
| Wife | Georgia Holt (married 1946, divorced 1947; remarried 1965, divorced again) |
| Famous Child | Cherilyn Sarkisian (Cher) |
| Occupations | Truck driver, bartender, auto mechanic, hairstylist, horse breeder |
| Burial Place | Fresno Memorial Gardens, Fresno, California |
Early Life and Armenian Heritage
John Paul Sarkisian was born on March 23, 1926, in Oakland, California. His parents, George Sarkisian and Blanche Dilkian, were Armenian immigrants who left their homeland to escape the Armenian Genocide. They came to America looking for a safer and better life. The family held on to their Armenian culture, traditions, and language even after settling in the United States.
John grew up during the Great Depression, a very hard time for many families in America. He had two sisters, Lucy and Roxanne, and several half-siblings from his mother’s later marriage. Growing up in a large Armenian-American household gave him a strong connection to his roots, but it also came with many challenges.
Jobs and Work Life
John Paul Sarkisian never stayed in one job for very long. He tried many different kinds of work throughout his life. His main job was truck driving, but he also worked as a bartender, auto mechanic, hairstylist, and seasonal produce delivery worker. He even tried horse breeding at one point in his later years.
His father once bought him five trucks so he could start his own trucking business. This was a big chance for John to build a stable career. Sadly, the business failed, and he went back to working different short-term jobs. His trouble with keeping steady work was connected to his personal struggles with addiction and gambling.
Marriage to Georgia Holt
John Paul Sarkisian married Jackie Jean Crouch, who later became known as Georgia Holt, on June 22, 1945, in Reno, Nevada. Georgia was a singer, actress, and model. Their relationship was quick and full of strong feelings, but it did not last long. The couple moved to El Centro, California, where Georgia became pregnant with their first and only child together.
On May 20, 1946, they welcomed their daughter Cherilyn Sarkisian, the girl the world would later know as Cher. But the marriage was already falling apart. John and Georgia divorced in 1947, just two years after they got married. Years later, in 1965, they tried again and got married a second time, but that also ended in divorce. Georgia went on to marry several more times and raised Cher mostly on her own.
Relationship with Cher
The relationship between John Paul Sarkisian and his daughter Cher was deeply troubled from the very beginning. Cher did not meet her father until she was 11 years old. Before that, she learned about him through a news report about his arrest. When her mother asked if she wanted to meet him, Cher agreed. She later described him as a charming man, but also someone with a dark and unstable side.
In 1965, when John married Georgia for the second time, Cher was happy to finally have both parents together. But that feeling did not last. John returned to his old habits and self-destructive behavior, and the marriage fell apart again quickly. After about six months, Cher decided to cut ties with her father completely. She later said in interviews that he was absent from her life and caused problems whenever he was present.
Legal Troubles and the Lawsuit Against Cher
John Paul Sarkisian had several run-ins with the law during his lifetime. He faced arrests related to drug possession and fraud, and he spent some time in prison. His legal problems were closely tied to his struggles with addiction and financial troubles.
In 1975, things between John and Cher reached a new low. He filed a $4 million lawsuit against Cher and two tabloid magazines. He claimed that Cher had said hurtful and false things about him in interviews, calling him a compulsive gambler and a drug addict. In his defense, John admitted to past legal trouble but said he had changed and was living a better life. The lawsuit made their private family problems very public. Instead of bringing them closer, this legal fight only pushed father and daughter further apart.
Addiction and Personal Struggles
One of the saddest parts of John Paul Sarkisian’s life was his long battle with addiction. He struggled with heroin dependency and compulsive gambling for many years. These problems affected every part of his life. They destroyed his relationships, cost him jobs, and led to many of his legal troubles.
His addiction also played a big role in his broken bond with Cher. She once described him as someone with “larceny in him” and talked openly about his drug use. Although there may have been moments when he tried to get better, the cycle of addiction was something he could never fully break free from.
Death and Burial
John Paul Sarkisian passed away on January 28, 1985, in Fresno, California. He was 58 years old. The exact cause of his death was never shared publicly. At the time of his death, he was working as a horse breeder at Somerset Farms in Santa Ynez and had moved to Fresno about three years before he died.
His death did not make big headlines, and Cher did not speak much about it publicly. According to reports, Cher was with him during his final days, but she did not attend his funeral. He was buried at Fresno Memorial Gardens in Fresno, California. His passing quietly closed a chapter that had been full of pain for both father and daughter.
Conclusion
John Paul Sarkisian lived a life full of struggles, broken relationships, and missed chances. He worked many jobs, battled addiction, and had a painful relationship with his famous daughter Cher. Despite all these problems, his Armenian heritage and family story remain an important part of Cher’s identity. His life reminds us that behind every famous person, there is often a complicated and very human family story.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who was John Paul Sarkisian?
John Paul Sarkisian was an Armenian-American truck driver and the biological father of the famous singer and actress Cher. He was born on March 23, 1926, in Oakland, California, and died on January 28, 1985, in Fresno, California.
2. Why did Cher cut ties with her father?
Cher stopped talking to her father because of his drug addiction, gambling problems, and unstable behavior. She did not meet him until she was 11, and after a short time together, she decided to distance herself from him.
3. Did John Paul Sarkisian really sue Cher?
Yes, in 1975, John filed a $4 million lawsuit against Cher and two magazines. He said Cher made hurtful statements about his past in interviews. The lawsuit made their family problems public and damaged their relationship even more.
4. How did John Paul Sarkisian die?
He passed away on January 28, 1985, in Fresno, California, at the age of 58. The exact cause of his death was never shared with the public. He was buried at Fresno Memorial Gardens.
5. Did John Paul Sarkisian have other children besides Cher?
No, Cher was his only known child. She was born from his marriage to Georgia Holt (Jackie Jean Crouch) on May 20, 1946, in El Centro, California.
Get verified insights on News Writer
