Irene Cara, ‘Fame,’ ‘Sparkle,’ ‘Flashdance’ Star Dies At 63

Irene Cara, an Oscar- and Grammy-winning master of music creation, has made her transition. The Bronx-born, Puerto Rican-Cuban actor and songstress died in her Largo, Florida home during the week of Thanksgiving 2022, according to Cara’s publicist, who announced the death early on Saturday, November 26 via the star’s Twitter account.

The iconic 80s film legend, perhaps best known for her co-writing credits for the hit soundtracks for the films “Flashdance” and “Fame,” was 63. At age 16, she also famously portrayed the role of Sparkle in the 1976 film of the same name, which was inspired by the story of The Supremes. She also starred in Roots: the Next Generations, as Alex Haley’s mother Bertha George. Her publicist, Judith Moose, said the cause of death was not known as this time and will be released “when more information is available.”

“She was a beautifully gifted soul whose legacy will live forever through her music and films,” Moose said. “Please share your thoughts and memories of Irene … and know she’ll be smiling from Heaven. She adored her fans.”

Many of those fans were fans from the get-go, who remembered when Cara (born Irene Cara Escalara) portrayed the role of Coco Hernandez (and she also sang and co-wrote the title song) in Fame. The song “Fame” is now legend, not only on the karaoke stage, but for what it meant to black women – and other marginalized folks – who dared to and continue to push through closed doors in order to access success in the United States.

Cara also co-wrote the song “Flashdance: What a Feeling,” the title song for the 1983 film Flashdance. That song went on to win an Academy Award, two Grammys and a Golden Globe.

Cara had ups and downs, like many brown-skinned stars of her time. She was not alone in accusing her old record labels of unfair contracts and she often said she didn’t recoup the royalties she was due. She sued her old label for access to her masters – and she won. Her most recent album was Carismatic, released in 2020. Her podcast The Backstory With Irene Cara, gave a longer look at Carismatic at other projects of hers.

A memorial service for fans is in the works.