Irene Cara, Singer of “Flashdance” and “Fame” Theme Songs, Dies at 63

Irene Cara, who sang two of the most iconic theme songs in movie history for Fame (1980) and Flashdance (1984), has passed away at the age of 63.

The Oscar-winning singer-actress died in her Florida home on Friday, according to her representative, with no cause of death disclosed.

“It is with profound sadness that on behalf of her family I announce the passing of Irene Cara,” publicist Judith A. Moose shared on the singer’s social media pages.

“The Academy Award-winning actress, singer, songwriter and producer passed away in her Florida home,” Moose said. “Her cause of death is currently unknown and will be released when information is available…She was a beautifully gifted soul whose legacy will live forever through her music and films.”

“Flashdance…What a Feeling,” was co-written by Cara, and earned her the Academy Award for Best Original Song, as well as a Grammy for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.

In addition to singing the Fame theme song, she starred as Coco Hernandez in the movie about the ups and downs of students at New York’s High School of Performing Arts.

Irene Cara scored additional top 20 pop hits

While she’s best known for those two songs, she scored additional Top 20 pop hits with the tune “Out Here on My Own” (also from the Fame soundtrack) and the tracks “Why Me?” and “Breakdance” from her own 1983 album What a Feelin’. She also released the albums Anyone Can See (1982) and Carasmatic (1987).

As an actress, Cara appeared in nearly twenty movies during her career, including Sparkle, D.C. Cab, and Certain Fury among others.

Cara was born in New York City as the youngest of five children. Her father, Gaspar Escalera, a factory worker and retired saxophonist, was Puerto Rican, while her mother, Louise, a movie theater usher, was Cuban-American.

She married stuntman and film director Conrad Palmisano in Los Angeles in April 1986. They divorced in 1991.