‘Fame’ and ‘Flashdance’ singer-actor Irene Cara dies at 63 Former ‘American Idol’ contestant who sang her way to fame dies of heart attack at age 63
Irene Cara, who was widely known by her given name, Irene, left behind three children.
Her daughter, Elizabeth Cara-Morales, shared on Facebook that her mother died peacefully from natural causes on Thursday.
“We are heartbroken to hear the tragic news that our mother has passed away,” she wrote.
“Her wonderful spirit, faith, and love will always be remembered by these three incredible girls and all of us at K9 Children’s Hospital and at home.”
Fame and Flashdance actor Irene Cara poses with her daughters Elizabeth (left, and niece, in a photo posted on Facebook on December 12, 2018, and taken at age 10 and 6 years old) and Gabriella (right) before the premiere of the film Flashdance at The Pantages Theatre on Jan. 14, 1976. Cara posed for a photo with her daughters at the event. Irene Cara/Facebook
Born in Chicago on Feb. 27, 1964, Cara, who appeared on “American Idol” in 2011, starred in the 1988 film “Fame” alongside Michael J. Fox, and became a judge on a season of “American Idol.”
She was the first African-American woman to be cast in a major motion picture.
“Fame” was a critical and financial success.
The film earned $55 million at the box office, and helped ignite Hollywood’s “Revenge of the Electricians” cultural phenomenon of the 1980s.
It was nominated for seven Academy Awards, including best picture, best supporting actress (Tatum O’Neal) and director for Martin Scorsese.
“Fame” won the Golden Globe for best picture and O’Neal won the best actress trophy for her portrayal of Liza Minnelli.
She went on to star in “Flashdance” opposite her husband, Michael J. Fox, who she met on “Idol.”
Her voice was heard on more than 1,500 albums and she won a Grammy for Best Vocal Performance, female.
She also became the first African-American woman to be honored with the Martin Luther King Jr
