RIP Irene Cara

Bronx born Irene Cara who started her she biz career as a child and went on to win an Oscar for co-writing the theme to the 1983 motion picture "Flashdance" has passed away.

She first graced the Broadway stage at the tender age of 7 as one of the orphans in "Maggie Flynn" opposite Jack Cassidy and Shirley Jones.

She was a great source of pride for us in the Bronx. Especially those of us who had the great fortune to know her and support her in every step of her career.

She will be greatly missed and never forgotten.

RIP dear Irene.

She also made a decent Mary Magdalene in the earliest portion of the 1990s Ted Neeley/Carl Anderson JCS reunion tour. I remember hearing that after a few months, she bailed from the production for reasons left unexplained. No judgment, mind you, but, especially given how successful the tour was otherwise, I wonder what was going on.

A video (in remarkable shape, given its age) is on what we used to call "the other site," and her performance is on full display.

I hope she and her contribution to music in film is recognized at next years Academy Awards. I’ve loved her since I was a little kid - this one really hurts.