Irene Cara, 'Fame' And 'Flashdance' Singer, Dead At 63

FLORIDA — Irene Cara, an Oscar-winning performer and songwriter known for singing the title tracks of the movies "Fame" and "Flashdance," died at her Florida home this week, her publicist confirmed Saturday. She was 63.

"It is with profound sadness that on behalf of her family I announce the passing of Irene Cara," Judith Moore wrote on Cara's Twitter account. "She was a beautifully gifted soul whose legacy will live forever through her music and films."

In her statement, Moore said Cara's cause of death was currently unknown.

Cara won an Oscar and two Grammys for best female pop vocal performance and original score for a motion picture for the song "Flashdance… What a Feeling," according to the Washington Post.

During her career, Cara had three Top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, including "Breakdance," "Out Here On My Own," "Fame" and "Flashdance ... What A Feeling," which spent six weeks at No. 1. She was behind some of the most joyful, high-energy pop anthems of the early '80s.

She became prominent among the young actors playing performing arts high schoolers in Alan Parker's "Fame," with co-stars Debbie Allen, Paul McCrane, and Anne Mear. Cara played Coco Hernandez, a striving dancer who endures all manner of deprivations, including a creepy nude photo shoot.

The New York-born Cara began her career on Broadway with small parts in short-lived shows, although a musical called "The Me Nobody Knows" ran over 300 performances. She toured in the musical "Jesus Christ Superstar" as Mary Magdalene in the mid-1990s and a tour of the musical" Flashdance" toured 2012-14 with her songs.

She also created the all-female band Irene Cara Presents Hot Caramel and put out a double CD with the single "How Can I Make You Luv Me." Her movie credits include" Sparkle" and "D.C. Cab."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.