It’s so fitting for Irene Cara to have played the lead as the singer Sparkle in the 1976 movie-musical of the same name. The “Out Here On My Own” singer carried a certain glow that shined among the stars in Hollywood. Born Irene Cara Escalera, she sadly passed away on Thanksgiving Day in New Port Richey, Florida.
An autopsy has been completed but details of the cause of death have yet to be announced at the time of this writing, per the Pinellas County Medical Examiner of Largo, Florida. News of her untimely passing at the age of 63 surprised many of her colleagues and brought back to remembrance her unforgettable impact and legacy.
Watch The ‘Sparkle’ Trailer:
A multi-hyphen talent gifted with the ability to dance, sing, and act, Cara is remembered for another musical film that made history, Fame, a cult classic about a group of ambitious teen singers and dancers attending a cutthroat New York performing arts school. Directed by Alan Parker (Evita), the iconic feature film starred Eddie Barth (Men In Black: The Series), Laura Dean (Chicago), Debbie Allen (Grey’s Anatomy), Michael DeLorenzo (New York Undercover), and Meg Tilly (Chucky), among several other notable actors.
While many Fame cast and crew have gone on to have prosperous careers, some have preceded the passing of Cara. Parker passed away at the age of 76 in 2020. Barth died at the age of 78 in 2010 — he famously played Angelo, the father to Bruno Martello. Fame writer Christopher Gore passed away in 1988 at the age of 43 while living in Santa Monica, California.
Watch The ‘Fame’ Trailer:
The film earned two Academy Awards in 1981 in the categories for “Original Song” and “Original Score,” making history for being the first film to have two songs nominated and awarded Oscars at the same time. It was also nominated for “Best Writing,” “Best Film Editing,” “Best Sound,” and “Original Song” for “Out Here on My Own.”
Cara portrayed the character Coco Hernandez in the 1980 film, which earned her a nomination for the “Best Actress in a Motion Picture for Comedy or Musical” at the 1981 Golden Globes. One of her most memorable moments in the film is when she sung the very popular theme song, “Fame,” which is also the title track of the film’s soundtrack.
Previous to Fame, the South Bronx native secured a recording contract and became a child star known for her singing and dancing abilities. She would branch off into acting in the 1970s, starring in television series Love of Life and The Electric Company. Other acting credits would include Aaron Loves Angela, Roots: The Next Generations, and Bustin’ Loose.
Cara has inspired the likes of Whitney Houston, who went on to appear in a remake of Sparkle, and Mariah Carey, who in the beginning of her career shared in identifying as a young, fiery talent with huge dreams. From Cardi B to Jennifer Lopez, Cara was part of paving the way for Black and Latina women in encompassing a career bridging music, dance, television, and film. Solidifying the legendary proclamation she made in Fame, she will live forever.
