Irene Cara, who won an Oscar for her role in the movie Fame and was at the top of the charts with the song “Flashdance… What a Feeling,” has died at the age of 63.
Her publicist, Judith A. Moore, said on Twitter that Cara had died on Friday at her home in Florida. The cause of her death is not known for now but the information is expected to be released.
It is with profound sadness that on behalf of her family I announce the passing of Irene Cara. The Academy Award winning actress, singer, songwriter and producer passed away in her Florida home,
Moore tweeted.
She was a beautifully gifted soul whose legacy will live forever through her music and films.
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. 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. – JM pic.twitter.com/TsC5BwZ3fh
— Irene Cara (@Irene_Cara) November 26, 2022
Cara, a Bronx native, started out as a child actor on shows like “The Electric Factory.” Later, she starred in Broadway musicals like “Via Galactica,” “The Wiz,” and “Sparkle,” which was based on the Supremes and made into a movie in 1976 with Cara in the lead role.
Cara’s big break came with the 1980 hit movie Fame, in which she played Coco Hernandez, a part that was written just for her. Cara played one of the talented students in that movie, which was about a performing arts high school in New York City. She also sang the songs “Fame” and “Out Here on My Own,” which were both nominated for Best Original Song at the Oscars. Fame was the first movie ever to get two nominations in that category, and Cara sang both songs at the Oscars. In the end, “Fame” won the Academy Award.
Fame’s success spread to the music industry. Cara was nominated for Best New Artist and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the Grammy Awards, even though she had never put out her own album. Anyone Can See, Cara’s first LP, came out in 1982.
The next year, “Flashdance… What a Feeling,” the theme from the hugely popular 1983 movie Flashdance, was Cara’s biggest hit. The song, which was written by Giorgio Moroder and Keith Forsey, was at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 for six weeks in 1983, which helped the soundtrack also reach the top spot. Cara also won her second Academy Award for Best Original Song and a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for this song.
