Two-time Academy Award, Golden Globe, and Grammy Award-winning singer and actress Irene Cara, who starred and sang the theme song cut from the 1980 hit movie “Fame” and then performed the iconic hit “Flashdance … What a Feeling” from the 1983 film “Fame” Flashdance,” has died. She was 63.
Her journalist, Judith A. Moose, announced the news on social media, writing that the cause of death was “currently undetermined”. Moose also confirmed the death to an Associated Press reporter on Saturday. Cara died at her home in Florida. The exact date of her death was not disclosed.
Moose wrote: “Irene’s family has asked for privacy as they deal with their grief. “She is a beautifully talented soul whose legacy will live on forever through her music and film.”
During her career, Cara has had three Top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, including “Breakdance”, “Out Here On My Own”, “Fame” and “Flashdance… What A Feeling”, having spent six weeks at number 1. She was the man behind some of the most energetic, playful pop songs of the early ’80s.
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Praises poured in Saturday on social media, including from Deborah Cox, who called Cara an inspiration, and Holly Robinson Peete, who recalls watching Cara perform: “Crazy combination between talent and beauty overwhelmed me. This makes my heart ache.”
She first emerged among the young actors playing performing arts high school students in Alan Parker’s film “Fame” alongside co-stars Debbie Allen, Paul McCrane and Anne Mear. Cara plays Coco Hernandez, a struggling dancer who endures all sorts of deprivations, including a creepy nude photo session.
“How much our spirit shines into space depends on how much we have contributed to the earthly splendor of this world. And I want to be a big contributor! she said in the movie.
Cara sang on the soaring theme song with the chorus _ “Remember my name/I’ll live forever/I’ll learn to fly/I feel everything coming together/People will see me and cry” _ will go on to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song. She also sang on “Out Here on My Own”, “Hot Lunch Jam” and “I Sing the Body Electric.”
Three years later, she and the writing team of “Flashdance” — music by Giorgio Moroder, lyrics by Keith Forsey and Cara — received the Academy Award for best original song for “Flashdance…What a Feeling.”
The film stars Jennifer Beals as a steel city girl who dances in a bar at night and hopes to get into a prestigious dance conservatory. It includes the hit song “Maniac,” which features Beals’ characters dancing, spinning, stomping, and the slow-burning theme song.
“There are not enough words to express my love and gratitude,” Cara told the Oscar crowd to thank her. “And last but not least, a very special gentleman who I guess started everything for me years ago. To Alan Parker, wherever you may be tonight, I thank him.”
New York-born Cara began her career on Broadway, with small parts in short-lived performances, though a musical called “The Me Nobody Knows” has had more than 300 performances. She toured the musical “Jesus Christ Superstar” as Mary Magdalene in the mid-1990s and a tour of the musical “Flashdance” toured in 2012-14 with her songs. .
She also formed the all-girl band Irene Cara Presents Hot Caramel and released a double CD with the single “How Can I Make You Luv Me.” Her film credits include “Sparkle” and “DC Cab.”
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Associated Press reporters Hillel Italie and Freida Frisaro contributed to this report.
© 2022 Canadian Press
