Irene Cara, Singer-Actress, Dies at 63

Oscar, Golden Globe and two-time Grammy winning singer-actress Irene Cara, who starred and sang the title cut from the 1980 hit movie Fame and then belted out the era-defining hit “Flashdance … What a Feeling” from 1983′s Flashdance, has died. She was 63. Cara died in her Florida home, according to Judith Moose, who posted the death on Twitter on Friday night. The cause of death has not yet been determined. “It is with profound sadness that on behalf of her family I announce the passing of Irene Cara,” Moose wrote in the statement. “Irene’s family has requested privacy as they process their grief. She was a beautifully gifted soul whose legacy will live forever through her music and films.” Cara was the unusual performer who was able to attain chart-topping pop success while also shining as an actress.

She won her Oscar for the 1983 hit “Flashdance… What a Feeling” and also sang the title track for the seminal 1980 movie Fame. She also starred in Fame, the dramatic musical that chronicled the struggles of high school students in a performing arts school. Cara, who played Coco Hernandez, sang the title track and “Out Here on My Own,” which both became hit singles and were nominated for the Oscar for best original song, with “Fame” winning. The songs’ success led to Cara getting nominated in 1980 for the Grammys for best new artist and best female pop vocal performance. One of her best-known roles was in the 1976 movie Sparkle, about three singing sisters whose family ties are ruptured as they pursue fame. Born in New York City on March 18, 1959, she began singing and dancing at a young age and made early appearances on programs including Johnny Carson’s The Tonight Show. In the early 1970s, she made appearances on PBS’ The Electric Company and was a member of the show’s band. She also appeared in Broadway productions including The Me Nobody Knows in 1970 and Via Galactica in 1972 opposite Raul Julia. Cara went on to appear on the CBS daytime soap Love of Life, where she originated the role of Daisy Allen. She followed this with the films Aaron Loves Angela (1975) and Sparkle (1976), along with roles in the television miniseries Roots: The Next Generations (1979) and Guyana Tragedy: The Story of Jim Jones (1980). She also created the all-female band Irene Cara Presents Hot Caramel and put out a double CD with the single “How Can I Make You Luv Me.” Her movie credits include Sparkle and D.C. Cab.