Irene Cara was the star of the movie in 1980. “Fame” He was awarded an Oscar in 1983 for his co-writing of the song title to the hit. “Flashdance,” At the age of 63, she died in Florida at home.
“It is with profound sadness that on behalf of her family I announce the passing of Irene Cara,” publicist Judith A. Moose Write. “Her cause of death is currently unknown and will be released when information is available.
Irene Cara Escalar was born in New York City’s Bronx to a Puerto Rican mother and a Cuban American father. She learned piano by ear early on and began taking lessons in dance and music. She was soon making appearances on Johnny Carson’s “The Tonight Show” and became a regular on PBS’ “The Electric Company” In the 1970s.
By 1976, she landed the lead role in Warner Bros.’ musical drama “Sparkle,” She starred in a fictionalized version, which was based on the Supremes story. In it she played Diana Ross-like character who leaves her girl band to follow her dream of a solo career. Following that, she landed prominent roles on the 1979 miniseries. “Roots: The Next Generations” and 1980’s “Guyana Tragedy: The Story of Jim Jones.”
But she shot to major fame in Alan Parker’s aptly titled 1980 movie musical “Fame,” As Coco Fernandez, an aspiring singer-actress, and singing the title track as well as “Out Here on My Own,” These two songs became charts hits. Grammy nominations were received for Best New Artist, Best Female Pop Vocal Performance and Golden Globe Nomination for Best Actress in Musical or Comedy.
Three years later she co-wrote and sang the lyrics. “Flashdance… What a Feeling,” The title track to 1983’s hit film starred Jennifer Beals, a steelworker who became a dancer. The song became a breakout hit, earning Cara two Grammys — for Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female as well as Album of the Year for the movie’s soundtrack.
Cara also won the Academy Award in Best Original Song. This made her the first Black-Hispanic woman ever to receive an Oscar for a film other than acting. She shared the award with Giorgio Moroder, composer, and Keith Forsey as co-lyricist.
Cara continued acting and singing, appearing with Clint Eastwood as the thriller of 1984. “City Heat” and releasing Top 40 hits like 1984’s “Breakdance.” She released a few more albums and continued touring, but her career slowed down considerably in the late ’80s. By the ’90s, her acting work consisted mainly of occasional cameos on TV and voice roles in animated projects like 1990’s “Happily Ever After.”
Hot Caramel was an all-female rock band formed in 1999. It released one album. In 2008, she appeared in the second season of CMT’s “Gone Country” As one of seven celebrities vying for the title of country music superstar.