The tributes to Irene Cara from the Fame Cast:
Lee Curreri:
"I first met Irene in a van - Alan Parker was taking the Fame movie cast out to lunch so we could all get acquainted. I felt as if I had jumped into the Fame script and met Coco! Irene was so unique - as a young woman, she had been around the show biz block more than a few times and could teach us some things. One of the characteristics of being in a film is that you end up waiting for hours while lights are set up and other scenes are filmed - with Irene, those hours were never boring - luckily there were a few pianos in some of the rooms of the abandoned high school where we were filming, so the only thing I wanted to do was accompany Irene so I could hear her sing all day. I remember another van ride where I saw Irene writing on a notepad. I asked here what she was working on and she turned it around to show me - it was the lyrics to Hot Lunch Jam, which we were going to record - that night. It’s hard to imagine that Irene is no longer on the planet, but I can definitely see her light up the sky."
Valerie Landsburg:
"I only met the lovely Irene Cara when we all played the Santa Monica Civic. The first time I ever saw her was at a midnight screening of FAME the movie. They showed movies at the Ziegfeld Theater for all the folks on Broadway. She was breathtaking in that movie. The night of our concert we were standing in the wings. We were all pretty nervous. She was the pro. Elegant and ready to rock. With a gentle and generous vibe. You will always be the voice of FAME."
Debbie Allen:"My Heart is Broken.
#IreneCara was such a gifted and beautiful genius. Her talent and her music will LIVE FOREVER! FOREVER REMEMBER HER NAME,
#FAME!
"
Lori Singer:
"Irene, you thrilled and inspired us all with your song, character, spirit and talent. My condolences to your family, legion of fans and all of us who love you. You live forever in FAME: for anyone who sees your performance in that film or hears your magnificent voice."
Loretta Chandler:
"Our beloved Irene Cara has died at the age of 63. Such a sweet spirit to be gone this soon.
I had the honor to work with this beautiful person when she was writing for various movies. She invited me to come
hang out at her studio. We worked on a couple of songs and shared stories. I loved her in "Sparkle". Will miss her dearly."
Erica Gimpel:
"It is with profound sadness and shock that I share my thoughts and feelings about the recent passing of Irene Cara. Life is so fragile and it seems to move so quickly… Irene’s passing feels like a wake up call to “Do what you love!” And to “Do it now!” The first time I saw Irene on screen was in the film Sparkle, it was 1976 and I was 12 years-old. I watched the film at the Edison movie theater on 103rd St. and Broadway in Manhattan. This was the type of movie theater where people talked to the screen, so it was loud, visceral and alive. I was taken in by the film and the magic of Lonette McKee’s work, and then the incredible talent of Irene Cara. Her singing and honesty in her work as an actress was captivating and so fully present in the moment, she lit up the screen. I also felt like I was seeing people who looked like me, people I was growing up with… I loved this film so much… and I loved Irene in it.
Years later I got accepted into the HS for the Performing Arts, and during my first year we got to see a private screening of the film Fame, which was based on my school. And there she was again… Irene Cara leaping off the screen as Coco Hernandez singing with her whole heart in “Out Here On My Own “and the iconic song “Fame.” I left the movie theater dancing down the street with my friends, so honored to be going to the school the film was based on. Then two years later, I got an audition for “Fame” the TV Series, and for the role of Coco Hernandez… I got the part!
I have to admit it was a lot to step into, but I knew I had to make the role my own, so I gave everything I had to the character of Coco and I loved her.
Irene had a huge influence on my life. I had profound respect for her as an artist. She was a true triple threat.
Then, in the late 80’s I get a call from her inviting me to be in her music video “Girlfriends”, she’d heard I roller-skated and the video was about an all girls roller team. I gladly joined her… Life offers you moments where you get to connect with the people that have influenced your life in profound ways… that day was one of those moments.
Dearest Irene you will be missed, but your incredible legacy will live on. You were a trailblazer… Watching interviews you revealed how you weathered many storms in this business, but for me your work rose above it all! You are and will be profoundly respected for all the years to come, for your contribution to music that inspired millions of people around the world… and for the one 12 year-old girl who you deeply touched… which was me.
I thank you for everything, and now may your spirit soar as you light up the universe with your beautiful voice and song!
As you “Light up the Sky like a Flame!”
"
Laura Dean:
"I was in disbelief until I spoke to my sister this morning, who confirmed that the enormously talented and radiant Irene Cara had passed away. We first met
Irene when we were little girls, at the Little Miss America Pageant in Palisades, New Jersey. We would get there super early to be signed in first, but Irene would already be there, with her dear mamma, before us, signed in and ready to perform. We went to dance classes together at Phil Black's studio (above an adult "dance hall") on 50th Street and Broadway, and I remember how focused Irene was. She was a dynamo who could sing, dance, and act, the definition of a triple threat. Irene was a role model and someone I aspired to be like. When she played Lillie Mae in the Broadway musical "The Me Nobody Knows" I bought the album and sang along with her. A few years later when I played Lillie Mae on tour, I did my best to channel her vocal technique. We finally got to work together in 1979 shooting the film "Fame" in our hometown of New York City. She was always on set early preparing for whatever scenes we were shooting. She was a perfectionist, an artist, and a diligent professional. I can't believe she is gone. Good night, sweet Irene
."
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