Flashdance, Fame singer Irene Cara dies in Florida aged 63

Fame and Flashdance singer Irene Cara has been found dead inside her Florida home at the age of 63.

Oscar-winning singer and actress Irene Cara has been found dead inside her Florida home at the age of 63.

Cara, 63, singer of the hit Flashdance... What A Feeling, which earned her an Oscar in 1984, was confirmed to have passed away by her publicist, Judith Moose.

Her cause of death is “currently unknown”, her publicist said.

Irene Cara has died at the age of 63.

The talented singer also starred in Fame and sang its iconic theme song.

“It is with profound sadness that on behalf of her family I announce the passing of Irene Cara,” Moose said in a statement.

“Her cause of death is currently unknown and will be released when the information is available.”

Born in the Bronx to a Puerto Rican father and a Cuban-American mother, Cara made numerous stage and TV appearances as a child, including on Johnny Carson’s The Tonight Show.

The talented star won an Oscar for the Flashdance theme song.

Irene Cara also starred in Fame.

She then rocketed to fame in 1980 playing Coco Hernandez in the hit musical Fame.

Cara later co-wrote and sang the vocals for Flashdance… What A Feeling, from the 1983 blockbuster Flashdance, and won a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance as well as an Academy Award for Best Original Song.

Singer Irene Cara performs at the 2006 AFL Grand Final in Melbourne.

When confirming Cara’s death, her publicist wrote: “She was a beautifully gifted soul whose legacy will live forever through her music and films.”

The publicist also expressed anguish over a recent death hoax on Facebook, which had targeted Cara.

“None of us were ever contacted regarding the hoax on a Facebook page. I completely understand it being difficult to believe. We’re all in shock.”

the much-loved star continued to perform throughout the 90s and noughties .

Cara memorably performed Flashdance and Fame as part of the pre-match entertainment before the 2006 AFL Grand Final at the MCG.