Irene Cara facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Irene Cara
Cara in 1983.
Born	Irene Cara Escalera (1959-03-18)March 18, 1959 New York City, U.S.
Died	November 25, 2022(2022-11-25) (aged 63) Largo, Florida, U.S.
Occupation	Singer songwriter actress
Years active	1965–2011
Known for	Sparkle Williams – Sparkle Coco Hernandez – Fame
Spouse(s)	Conrad Palmisano ​ ​ (m. 1986; div. 1991)​
Musical career
Genres	R&B pop disco
Instruments	Vocals piano
Labels	RSO Network Epic Geffen Elektra
Associated acts	The Electric Company/The Short Circus Diddy DJ BoBo

Irene Cara Escalera (born March 18, 1959 – died November 25, 2022) was an American singer, songwriter, and actress. She was known for her amazing voice and acting skills.

Irene Cara became famous for her role as Coco Hernandez in the 1980 movie Fame. She also sang the movie's main song, "Fame", which became a number one hit in many countries.

In 1983, Irene co-wrote and sang "Flashdance... What a Feeling" for the movie Flashdance. This song won her an Academy Award for Best Original Song and a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. Before Fame, she played the main character, Sparkle Williams, in the 1976 movie Sparkle.

Early Life and Beginnings

Irene Cara was born and grew up in the Bronx, New York City. She was the youngest of five children. Her father was from Puerto Rico and worked in a steel factory. Her mother was from Cuba and worked at a movie theater.

Irene started playing the piano by ear, meaning she could play music just by listening to it. She also studied music, acting, and dance from a young age. Her performing career began when she was very young, singing and dancing on Spanish-language TV shows.

She appeared on TV shows like The Original Amateur Hour and Johnny Carson's The Tonight Show. From 1971 to 1972, she was a regular on the educational show The Electric Company. She was part of the show's band, called the Short Circus. As a child, Irene also recorded music in both Spanish and English. She even performed in a big concert honoring Duke Ellington with stars like Stevie Wonder.

Her Amazing Career

Irene Cara performed in many Broadway and off-Broadway shows. She started with Maggie Flynn when she was young. She was also a finalist in the "Little Miss America" pageant.

She appeared in other plays like Via Galactica and Ain't Misbehavin'. On TV, she played Daisy Allen in the show Love of Life. Later, she starred in the movie Sparkle.

Irene also gained international fame for her serious acting roles. She appeared in TV miniseries like Roots: The Next Generations. In 1976, she was named one of the "Promising New Actors" by John Willis' Screen World.

Becoming a Star with Fame (1980)

The 1980 movie Fame made Irene Cara a huge star. She was first hired as a dancer for the film. But when the movie's creators heard her sing, they changed the role of Coco Hernandez just for her.

In the movie, she sang the title song "Fame" and another song called "Out Here on My Own". Both songs were nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song. The movie's soundtrack became a huge hit, selling millions of copies. It was special because two songs from the same movie, sung by the same artist, were nominated for the same Oscar.

Irene performed both songs at the Oscar ceremony. "Fame" won the award for best original song. Irene was nominated for Grammy Awards for Best New Artist and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. She also received a Golden Globe Award nomination for her acting in the movie.

After Fame, the producers of the Fame TV series asked her to play Coco again. But Irene wanted to focus on her music career, so she said no.

Music and Movies After Fame

In 1980, Irene briefly played Dorothy in a touring show of The Wiz. She had actually shared the stage with Stephanie Mills, who played Dorothy on Broadway, when they were both children in the musical Maggie Flynn.

In 1983, Irene reached the top of her music career with the song "Flashdance... What a Feeling". She co-wrote this song for the movie Flashdance. She wrote the lyrics in a car on her way to the studio! The song became a massive hit around the world.

This song brought Irene many awards. She won an Academy Award for Best Original Song, sharing it with the other songwriters. She was the first Black woman to win an Oscar in a non-acting category. She also won a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.

In 1984, she appeared in the movie City Heat with Clint Eastwood. She also had another hit song called "Breakdance".

Irene released three studio albums: Anyone Can See (1982), What a Feelin' (1983), and Carasmatic (1987). What a Feelin' was her most successful album. She also sang the voice of Snow White in the animated movie Happily Ever After in 1993.

In the 1990s, Irene toured in Europe and Asia. She had some dance hits there. She also sang backup for other famous artists.

In 1993, Irene won a lawsuit against her record company. She had a disagreement about money she was owed from her music. This made it harder for her to work in the music industry for a while.

21st Century Activities

In 2004, Irene Cara received two special honors. She was inducted into the Ciboney Cafe's Hall of Fame and got a Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2005, she won a round on the TV show Hit Me, Baby, One More Time. She performed "Flashdance... What a Feeling" and a song by Anastacia with her band, Hot Caramel.

Irene formed her all-female band, Hot Caramel, in 1999. Their album, Irene Cara Presents Hot Caramel, was released in 2011.

Personal Life and Passing

Irene Cara married stuntman and film director Conrad Palmisano in 1986. They divorced in 1991.

Irene Cara passed away at her home in Largo, Florida, on November 25, 2022. She was 63 years old.

Discography

Studio albums

Singles

Soundtrack appearances

Vocal appearances on other albums

• 1986: Brecker Brothers – Détente (background vocals)
• 1987: Jimmy Maelen – Beats Workin'
• 1992: Stanley Turrentine – Home Again
• 2001: DJ BoBo – Planet Colors
• 2002: DJ BoBo – Celebration

Stage Acting Roles

• 1968: Maggie Flynn
• 1970: The Me Nobody Knows
• 1972: Via Galactica
• 1973: Lotta
• 1978: Ain't Misbehavin'
• 1979: Got Tu Go Disco
• 1980: The Wiz
• 1992: Jesus Christ Superstar
• 1996: What a Feeling!: The Rock & Pop Musicals in Concert

Film and Television Roles

Television

Film

Awards and Nominations

See also

In Spanish: Irene Cara para niños

• List of artists who reached number one on the U.S. Dance Club Songs chart
• List of artists who reached number one in the United States
• List of Billboard number-one dance club songs
• List of Billboard number-one singles
• List of Puerto Ricans