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26th Nov 2022

Irene Cara, Oscar-winning singer of title tracks to ‘Flashdance,’ ‘Fame’ dies aged 63

Steve Hopkins

‘She was a beautifully gifted soul whose legacy will live forever through her music and films’

Irene Cara, the Oscar-winning singer of the title tracks to ‘Fame’ and ‘Flashdance’, has died at age 63, her publicist announced late Friday.

Judith A. Moose said the star had died at her Florida home as she encouraged friends, family and fans to “please share your thoughts and memories of Irene”.

Cara’s cause of death is currently unknown and will be released “when information is available”.

Moose wrote on Twitter: “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.”

In a statement, she continued: “It is with profound sadness that on behalf of he family I announce the passing of Irene Cara.

“The Academy Award-winning actress, singer, songwriter and producer passed away in her Florida home. Her cause of death is currently unknown and will be released when information is available.”

“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.

“Funeral services are pending and a memorial for her fans will be planned at a future date.”

Cara was trained in music, dance and acting as a child and appeared on stage and on television, including appearances on PBS and on Johnny Carson’s ‘The Tonight Show’, at a young age in the 1970s.

She achieved super-stardom when she was cast in the 1980 musical ‘Fame’.

She was initially cast as a dancer but then had the role of Coco Hernandez written for her and sang the title track.

Cara was nominated for two Grammys after ‘Fame’, for Best New Artist and Best Female Pop Vocal Artist.

She then won a Grammy and an Academy Award in 1984 with the title track to ‘Flashdance’, the film starring Jennifer Beals as an aspiring dancer. S

Cara later appeared in films such as D.C. Cab and City Heat along with  various television shows and live theatre and musicals.

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