Irene Cara
The Oscar-winning singer and actress Irene Cara, who recorded the title tracks to the 1980s blockbuster movies “Fame” and “Flashdance,” has died at the age of 63.
Cara was found dead at her home in Florida on Friday, her publicist Judith Moose told AFP on Saturday, adding that the cause of the singer’s death was as yet unknown.
“She was a beautifully gifted soul whose legacy will live forever through her music and films,” Moose said.
Cara rose to prominence after being cast as Coco Hernandez in “Fame,” which follows the lives of students at a school for the performing arts in New York. The role was written for her after she was initially cast as a dancer. She also sang the title track, for which she won Grammy award nominations for best new artist and best female pop artist. Cara also cowrote and performed the smash hit “Flashdance … What a Feeling” for the 1983 movie of the same name that depicts the life of an aspiring dancer played by Jennifer Beals.
The song earned her an Oscar for best original song in 1984 and two Grammys. As a child, Cara studied music, dance and singing, and appeared on stage and TV, including “The Tonight Show” with Johnny Carson as a youngster in the 1970s.
Later in her career, she appeared in the movies “DC Cab” and “City Heat” as well as on TV. She also performed in theater and musicals.
“This is the absolute worst part of being a publicist. I can’t believe I’ve had to write this, let alone release the news,” Moose said.
“Please share your thoughts and memories of Irene. I’ll be reading each and every one of them and know she’ll be smiling from Heaven. She adored her fans.” People around the world shared their condolences and memories of the singer on Twitter.
@SRuhle said: “‘What A Feeling’ & ‘Fame’ bring back memories of pure joy. I am so sad to learn about @Irene_Cara’s passing.” @kevin_powell wrote: “VERY SAD to hear news of passing of IRENE CARA, the Black Latinx singer/songwriter/actress/giant of a talent. I crossed paths with her once, on flight from somewhere in Florida to Los Angeles. I was such a big fan I was too scared to say anything. I wish I had. Rest, Irene, rest.”