Irene Cara, the long-lasting ’80s singer and actress best known for the soundtrack hits to the movies “Flashdance” and “Fame” has died. She was 63.
Her publicist announced Cara’s death Saturday morning, saying in a press release Cara died in her Florida home. The explanation for death is unknown and might be released when more information is on the market, the spokeswoman added.
“She was a beautifully gifted soul whose legacy will live endlessly through her music and movies,” the statement from rep Judith Moore read.
Cara’s top hits were “Fame” in 1980 and 1983’s “Flashdance … What a Feeling,” the latter of which she won an Academy Award for Best Original Song and a Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Performance.
Besides singing the title track in “Fame,” she played the role of Coco Hernandez, and the song helped make the film’s soundtrack a multi-platinum album. She was nominated for 2 Grammys following “Fame,” for Best Female Pop Vocal Artist and Best Recent Artist.
Funeral services are pending and the memorial for her fans might be planned at a future date.
In announcing the death, Moore added a message on Cara’s Twitter page Saturday saying: “This is absolutely the worst a part of being a publicist. I can’t imagine I’ve had to write down this, let alone release the news.
“Please share your thoughts and memories of Irene. I’ll be reading each certainly one of them and know she’ll be smiling from Heaven. She adored her fans.”
