News of her death was announced on her official Twitter account by her publicist, Judith A. Moose. Cara died in her Florida home of an unknown cause, the announcement said.
"It is with profound sadness that on behalf of her family I announce the death of Irene Cara," Moose wrote. "She was a beautifully gifted soul whose legacy will live forever through her music and films."
Born in New York City, Cara possessed an early talent for music and performance as a finalist in the "Little Miss America" pageant when she was 3 years old. When she was in third grade she appeared on the "Ted Mack Amateur Hour" singing "Ola, Ola, Ola."