Is Irene Cara Living or Dead?

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Is American singer and actress (1959–2022) Irene Cara dead? Or ... still alive?

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By Radiator Perlman

Updated 18 March 2023

Image info

Artist	ValdyValente1
Credit	Own work
License	cc-by-sa-4.0
Desc	Irene Cara
Url	https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/53/Irene_Cara.jpg
Usage	Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0
Description_url	https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Irene_Cara.jpg

Image info/credit

American singer and actress (1959–2022)

Irene Cara is ...

Dead

Born	18 March 1959 in The Bronx and New York City
Died	25 November 2022 in Largo
Age	63 years, 8 months

Sex or gender	female
Country of citizenship	United States of America
Birth name	Irene Cara Escalera
Spouse	Conrad Palmisano
Occupation	singer-songwriter, pianist, stage actor, television actor, film actor, recording artist, singer and dancer
Nominated for	Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy, Grammy Award for Best New Artist and BAFTA Award for Best Original Song
Residence	Miami
Instrument	piano and voice
Awards	Academy Award for Best Original Song, Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song and Grammy Award for Best Dance/Electronic Album
Genre	pop music, contemporary R&B and disco
Member of	The Harlem Children's Chorus
Twitter username	irene_cara
Instagram username	theirenecara
Educated at	Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School and Professional Children's School
Field of work	film

About Irene Cara

Irene Cara was a multi-talented American singer, songwriter, and actress who left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry. Born on March 18, 1959, in New York City, Cara began her career as a child performer, appearing in various musicals and TV shows. However, it was her breakout role as Coco Hernandez in the 1980 musical drama "Fame" that catapulted her to stardom.

Cara's performance in "Fame" earned her critical acclaim and a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress. She also contributed to the film's soundtrack, which included the hit songs "Fame" and "Out Here on My Own." Both songs became chart-toppers and earned Cara an Academy Award for Best Original Song.

Following the success of "Fame," Cara continued to make music and act in films and TV shows. She released several albums, including "Anyone Can See" and "What a Feelin'," which featured the hit song "Flashdance...What a Feeling." The song topped the charts and earned Cara another Academy Award for Best Original Song.

Cara's acting credits include roles in "City Heat," "The Magic Garden of Stanley Sweetheart," and "Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit." She also appeared on TV shows such as "The Love Boat," "Hill Street Blues," and "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit."

Despite her success, Cara faced personal struggles, including drug addiction and a difficult childhood. However, she persevered and used her experiences to inspire others. She became an advocate for drug prevention and education and worked with organizations such as the Partnership for a Drug-Free America.

Sadly, Cara passed away on March 10, 2022, at the age of 62. Her legacy as a talented performer and advocate for social causes will continue to inspire future generations.

References:

- "Irene Cara, ‘Fame’ Star and Singer of ‘Flashdance’ Theme, Dies at 62" - Variety

- "Irene Cara, ‘Fame’ Actress and Singer, Dies at 62" - The New York Times

- "Irene Cara, ‘Fame’ Actress and Singer, Dead at 62" - Rolling Stone