Which Movie Role Earned Cher Her Oscar Win?

In addition to her prolific music and television career, Cher has carried out many memorable performances as a film actor. During a past interview, the "Believe" singer explained how a chat with acclaimed filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola after one of her Las Vegas shows led to her going after movie parts. "He came backstage, and he said, 'God, you are so talented, why aren't you making movies?'" Cher said. "I said, 'Because nobody thinks I'm so talented and that I should be making them.' And he said, 'Well, they're wrong. I don't care what anyone says –– I'm right, and they're wrong.'" 

After this discussion, Cher saw Linda Ronstadt acting on stage, which further inspired her to take acting seriously. In a 1988 interview, Cher described her dedication to pursuing a movie career, per Film Comment. "I wanted to be an actress, and everybody said, 'No, you can't, you can't, you can't.' And I just kept saying, 'Oh, I can, I can, I can,'" Cher said. "And there were certain things I had to give up to get the chance to do it." Ultimately, these sacrifices were worth it, as the entertainer has received great praise for her big screen performances. 

After following her desire to perform in movies, Cher became an Oscar-winning actor. By the late 1980s, she had starred in projects like "Silkwood," "Mask," and "The Witches of Eastwick." In 2018, Cher told Out that she went to a theater to watch the "Silkwood" trailer, which was one of her first movies. When Cher's name appeared in the preview, however, the audience laughed. Cher then called "Silkwood" director Mike Nichols, who shared positive words with her. "He said, 'Well, they might be laughing in the beginning, but they won't be laughing at the end,'" Cher said. She went on to earn an Academy Award nomination for playing Dolly Pelliker in the film.

At the 1988 Academy Awards, Cher took home the Oscar for best actress for her performance as Loretta Castorini in "Moonstruck." As she accepted the honor on stage, Cher expressed what the award symbolizes to her before thanking her "Moonstruck" colleagues. "When I was little my mother said, 'I want you to be something.' And I guess this represents 23 or 24 years of my work," Cher said. "And I've never won anything before from my peers. I'm really, really happy. I'd like to thank everyone I worked on with the movie. They were really fabulous. It was really a great experience for me." Since this win, Cher has continued to act in popular films and has upcoming plans for a personal project.

Cher's talent and devoted work ethic has resulted in her becoming a legendary actor and singer in the entertainment industry. However, prior to earning an Oscar for "Moonstruck," Cher didn't anticipate scoring the accolade. "I didn't think that I was gonna win it," Cher told The Insider in 2016. "When I did 'Mask,' the odds in Vegas had me winning, and I didn't even get nominated." Following her early parts, Cher has gone on to star in fan-favorite films such as "Mermaids," "Burlesque," and "Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again." 

In May 2021, Cher revealed on Twitter that a biopic on her iconic life and career story was in the works at Universal. "Ok Universal is Doing Biopic With My Friends JUDY CRAYMER,GARY GOETZMAN PRODUCING," Cher wrote. She added, "ERIC ROTH IS GOING 2 WRITE IT." These filmmakers were behind highly successful projects like "A Star Is Born," "Forrest Gump," "My Big Fat Greek Wedding," and "Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again." In September 2021, Cher said via Twitter that she is "WORKING HARD ON BOOK & FILM," referring to the biopic and a memoir she announced in 2018. Twitter users then shared their excitement for these releases. "Take your time! We appreciate all the hard work, that's good to hear!" one user stated. Another commented, "Can't wait to see it Cher."