Madonna (Madonna Louise Ciccone), 1958–, American pop singer and actress, b. Bay City, Mich. She trained as a dancer at the Univ. of Michigan before moving to New York City to begin her music and dance career. Her albums Madonna (1983) and Like a Virgin (1984) secured her position as a sexual and pop icon. In 1985 she won critical praise for her part in the Hollywood film Desperately Seeking Susan. Truth or Dare (1991) was a revealing backstage performance film that paved the way for her book Sex (1992), which garnered enormous publicity. She has her own recording company and produces her own films and videos.