Fame and Flashdance singer Irene Cara has died at the age of 63.
The raven-haired beauty – who sang and co-wrote the legendary theme tune to Flashdance – What A Feeling – passed away in her family home in Miami, Florida.
She soared to fame after she won the Academy Award for Best Original song following her appearance in the Hollywood musical adaptations.
The devastating news was confirmed by Cara’s publicist Judith Moose as she announced a memorial will be planned for fans in the next few weeks.
Judith described her as a “beautifully gifted soul” as she shared a touching tribute online in her honour.
(Image: Getty)
She 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 the information is available. Irene’s family has requested privacy as they process their grief.
(Image: WireImage)
She added: “She was a beautifully gifted soul whose legacy will forever through her music and films.
“Funeral services are pending and a memorial for her fans will be planned at a future date.”
“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.”
(Image: Mgm/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock)
Cara was trained in music, dance and acting as a child, appearing on stage and TV – including appearances on Johnny Carson’s The Tonight Show at a young age back in the 1970s.
But it didn’t take long before the starlet shot to stardom when she was cast in the hit 1980s musical Fame.
The performer was initially cast as a dancer but she later took on the role of Coco written especially for her and famously sang the signature track.
Her stellar performance won her two Grammy awards for Best New Artist and Best Female Pop Artist, then won a Grammy and an Academy Award in 1984 with the title track to Flashdance.
(Image: CBS via Getty Images)
The star continued with her acting and music career where she went on to appear in films such as D.C Cab and City Hear, while also performing in live theatre and films.
She also formed an all-female band called Hot Caramel back in 1999.
In 2004, the performer received two honours with an induction into the Ciboney Cafe’s Hall of Fame and a Lifetime Achievement Award presented at the annual Prestige Awards.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
