Fame and Flashdance singer Irene Cara dies aged 63

Fame and Flashdance singer Irene Cara has died at the age of 63 in her Florida home.

Cara sang and co-wrote the theme tune to classic movie Flashdance, What a Feeling, for which she won the Academy Award for Best Original Song.

She also played the role of Coco Hernandez in the 1980 blockbuster Fame and for also recording its title song.

Cara’s publicist Judith Moose confirmed she had died on the star’s official Twitter account on Saturday and to Eyewitness News.

Moose said Cara had died at home in Florida and that her cause of death was currently unknown.

They wrote: ‘It is with profound sadness that on behalf of her 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.

The statement continued: ‘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.’

Tributes have poured in for the singer, with Fame star Lee Curreri, who played Bruno Martelli, sharing a black-and-white photo of her on Instagram, with a caption consisting of a sole red heart emoji.

Michael DeLorenzo, who played a principal dancer in Fame, also shared a black-and-white picture of Cara on his Instagram, writing in his caption: ‘No words …so I’ll leave you with hers…’

Cara was born in The Bronx in New York City, the youngest of five children, and started her performing career on Spanish-language TV before becoming a regular on PBS’ education programme The Electric Company.

On the stage, Cara appeared in on- and off-Broadway productions including Ain’t Misbehavin’, The Me Nobody Knows and Maggie Flynn before being catapulted to fame in Fame.

She was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture Actress in a Musical for her performance in the movies, as well as receiving Grammy nominations for Best New Artist and Best Female Pop Vocal.

Cara was also nominated for a slew of awards for Flashdance… What a Feeling, which she penned the lyrics for while riding in a car around NYC.

In 1984, Cara went on to star with Clint Eastwood and Burt Reynolds in comedic thriller City Heat and a year later featured in Certain Fury with Tatum O’Neal.

During the 90s Cara toured around the world performing her music, releasing a compilation of Eurodance singles.

More recently, she won the NBC entertainment show Hit Me, Baby, One More Time, performing What a Feeling and Anastacia’s song I’m Outta Love.

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