Profile Text
Birth Name: Irene Cara Escalera
Date of Birth: March 18, 1959
Place of Birth: New York City, New York City, U.S.
Date of Death: November 25, 2022
Place of Death: Largo, Florida, U.S.
Ethnicity: * father – Puerto Rican * mother – Cuban
Irene Cara was an American singer, songwriter, dancer, and actress. She was known for the songs “Fame” and “Flashdance… What a Feeling,” and for starring in the film Sparkle (1976).
Her father, Gaspar Escalera, a saxophonist, was Puerto Rican, from San Juan, and was of heavily/predominantly African ancestry. Her mother, Louise (Betancourt), was of Cuban descent. Irene performed in Spanish as well as English. A picture of Irene with her parents can be seen here .
Irene’s paternal grandfather was named Ramón Escalera (the son of Agapito Escalera and Simplicia).
Irene’s paternal grandmother was Cruz Figueras (the daughter of Mario Figueras and Irene Gonzalez).
Irene’s maternal grandfather was Silvester/Sylvester Betancourt (the son of Dionicio Betancourt and Angela Delgado). Silvester was born in Florida, to Cuban parents.
Source: Genealogy of Irene Cara (focusing on her mother’s side) – https://www.findagrave.com