Entertainment
Fame star Lee Curreri leads tributes to Irene Cara following death of acclaimed actress and singer aged 63-Sabrina Barr-Entertainment – Metro
Irene Cara also sang the unforgettable track Flashdance… What a Feeling.
Lee Curreri and Irene Cara starred in Fame together as Bruno Martelli and Coco Hernandez (Picture: United Artists/Archive Photos/Getty Images)
Fame star Lee Curreri is among those paying tribute to his former co-star Irene Cara following her death aged 63.
In a statement shared on the official Twitter account for Cara, her publicist Judith Moose confirmed the Flashdance…What A Feeling singer had died, writing: ‘It is with profound sadness that on behalf of her family I announce the passing of Irene Cara.
‘The Academy Award-winning actress, singer, songwriter and producer passed away in her Florida home. Her cause of death is currently unknown and will be released when information is available.’
Tributes have come pouring in for the performer, who played the lead role of Coco Hernandez in the 1980 musical film Fame.
Curreri, who starred opposite her in the movie as Bruno Martelli, shared a black-and-white photo of her on Instagram, with a caption consisting of a sole red heart emoji.
Several people expressed their condolences to Curreri, with one commenting: ‘Such sad news, such fond memories of this beautiful woman. Thoughts are with you and all that knew and loved her.’
The legacy of Fame lives on decades later (Picture: M.G.M / Avalon)
‘I am so sorry for your loss Lee. So terribly sad,’ someone else said, while another wrote: ‘Ohhhh noooo 😢, my thoughts are with you, Lee. RIP, Irene.’
Michael DeLorenzo, who played a principal dancer in Fame, also shared a black-and-white picture of Cara on his Instagram, writing in his caption: ‘No words …so I’ll leave you with hers…’
He then shared the lyrics to Cara’s song Fame from the classic film of the same name, with the chorus going: ‘I’m gonna live forever, I’m gonna learn how to fly (High). I feel it coming together. People will see me and cry. I’m gonna make it to heaven. Light up the sky like a flame.’
One person who commented on Michael’s post said: ‘I am so horribly sad to hear this news. Her music and voice was such a huge part of my childhood. My deepest condolences to you, her family and fans.’
‘Aww Rest in Peace #irenecara you made me want to sing out loud and the movie and show Fame made me want to dance…I send my condolences to all who knew and loved her….Fly high and we’ll always remember your name,’ another fan penned.
The statement confirming Cara’s death read: ‘Irene’s family has requested privacy as they process their grief. She was a beautifully gifted soul whose legacy will live forever through her music and films.
‘Funeral services are pending and a memorial for her fans will be planned at a future date.’
Cara soared to global stardom when she appeared in Fame, with her role rewritten especially for her when it was discovered how multi-talented she was.
She won an Academy Award for Best Original Song for Flashdance… What a Feeling from the 1983 film Flashdance, and also received nods at the Grammys and the Golden Globes.
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MORE : Fame and Flashdance Oscar-winning singer Irene Cara dies aged 63
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