Irene Cara, award-winning singer of popular ’80s songs “Fame” and “Flashdance…What a Feeling,” has died. She was 63. A statement was posted early Saturday morning from her official Twitter account on behalf of her publicist. The cause of death is “currently unknown.”

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

The statement concluded, “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.” As a youth, Cara appeared on TV’s “Electric Company” before acting as a teen in the movies “Aaron Loves Angela” and “Sparkle.”

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.

Her breakthrough came as Coco Hernandez in the 1980 musical “Fame,” about New York’s High School for the Performing Arts. “How bright our spirits go shooting out into space depends on how much we contributed to the earthly brilliance of this world. And I mean to be a major contributor!” she says in the movie. Cara sang on the soaring title song with the chorus — “Remember my name/I’m gonna live forever/I’m gonna learn how to fly/I feel it coming together/People will see me and cry” — which would go on win an Academy Award for best original song for songwriters Michael Gore and Dean Pitchford.

This is the absolute worst part of being a publicist. I can’t believe I’ve had to write this, let alone release the news. Please share your thoughts and memories of Irene. I’ll be reading each and every one of them and know she’ll be smiling from Heaven. She adored her fans. – JM pic.twitter.com/TsC5BwZ3fh

— Irene Cara (@Irene_Cara) November 26, 2022

She had a hit record with that movie’s title song and another with the ballad “Out Here on My Own.” She was nominated for a Golden Globe and two Grammys that year. Three years later, Cara co-wrote the lyrics for “Flashdance… What a Feeling,” another radio smash for which she received an Oscar for Best Original Song and a Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female.

The movie starred Jennifer Beals as a steel-town girl who dances in a bar at night and hopes to attend a prestigious dance conservatory. It also included Michael Sembello’s hit song “Maniac,” featuring Beals’ character leaping, spinning, and stomping her feet and the slow-burning theme song.

“There aren’t enough words to express my love and my gratitude,” Cara told the Oscar crowd in her thanks. “And last but not least, a very special gentlemen who, I guess, started it all for me many years ago. To Alan Parker, wherever you may be tonight, I thank him.”

She had other hits, including “Why Me” and “Breakdance.” She also acted in movies such as “City Heat” with Burt Reynolds and Clint Eastwood, “D.C. Cab” with Mr. T and “Certain Fury” with Tatum O’Neal. From 2012 to 2014, a tour of the musical Flashdance toured with her songs.