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Nov 28

'Fame' and 'Flashdance' singer and actress Irene Cara, 63

By Cynthia Montojo

"She was beautifully gifted soul whose legacy will live forever through her music and films," publicist Judith Moose said in written statement Irene Cara, an Oscar-winning singer and actress who recorded title tracks to the blockbuster 1980s movies "Fame" and "Flashdance," has died at age 63. Irene was found deceased at her home in Florida adding cause of death was unknown at this point.

Irene Cara Escalera in real life is well-known for singing the title track of 1980s film "Fame," which follows lives of students at performing arts high school in New York.

In the movie she played Coco Hernandez, role written for her after she was initially cast as dancer. Irine's work earned her Grammy award nominations for best new artist and best female pop artist.

Irine also cowrote and performed smash hit "Flashdance... What a Feeling" for 1983 movie of the same name, depicting life of an aspiring dancer played by Jennifer Beals.

The tune earned Irine an Oscar for best original song in 1984 and two Grammys.

Irine was trained as child in music, dance and singing, and appeared on stage and in television, including "The Tonight Show" with Johnny Carson at the time, huge step to becoming someone in showbiz in America at young age in 1970s.

"This is the absolute worst part of being a publicist… I can't believe I've had to write this, let alone release the news," Moose wrote.

"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," she stressed.

Later in her career Irine appeared in such films as "DC Cab" and "City Heat" and on various television shows. She also performed in theater and musicals.

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