Net Worth Ranker
What Is Irene Cara’s Net Worth?
At the time of her death in November 2022, Irene Cara, the accomplished American actress and singer, had a net worth estimated at $2 million. This figure reflects her multifaceted career, which encompassed music, film, and stage performances. While the exact breakdown of her net worth is not publicly available, it is reasonable to assume that it comprised royalties from her hit songs, earnings from acting roles, and potentially some real estate or investment holdings.
Early Career and Rise to Fame
Irene Cara Escalera was born on March 18, 1959, in the Bronx, New York City. Her father, Gaspar Escalera, a retired saxophonist and factory worker, and her mother, Louise, a movie usher, instilled in her a love for the arts from a young age. Her Cuban-American and Puerto Rican heritage provided a vibrant cultural backdrop to her upbringing. Even as a child, Cara displayed extraordinary talent, becoming a finalist in the Little Miss America pageant at the tender age of 3. She honed her skills in acting, music, and dance, and remarkably, she learned to play the piano by ear. Cara embarked on her performing journey by singing and dancing on Spanish-language television. In the early 1970s, she gained national exposure with appearances on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson” and as a member of The Short Circus band on the PBS series “The Electric Company.” During her childhood, she recorded a Spanish-language album and an English-language Christmas album. Cara attended Manhattan’s Professional Children’s School, further nurturing her artistic abilities.
“Fame” and Early Success
Irene Cara’s career began to gain momentum in the 1970s, with roles in off-Broadway productions such as “Ain’t Misbehavin'” (1978), “The Wiz” (1980), and “Jesus Christ Superstar” (1993). Her first onscreen appearance was as Daisy Allen on the CBS soap opera “Love of Life” from 1970 to 1971. In 1976, she landed the title role in the musical drama “Sparkle,” which significantly raised her profile. She also had guest roles on television series like “Kojak” (1976) and “What’s Happening!!” (1977). Her performance as Bertha Palmer Haley in the 1979 miniseries “Roots: The Next Generations,” which won a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Limited Series, further cemented her status as a rising star. In 1980, Cara starred as Coco Hernandez in the film “Fame,” where she performed the songs “Fame” and “Out Here on My Own.” While precise box office figures for “Fame” are readily available, it’s known that the movie grossed over $42 million domestically and internationally. The film was a critical and commercial success, earning over $42 million at the box office. The soundtrack, featuring Cara’s iconic performances, also achieved significant commercial success, achieving Gold certification in Canada, France, the UK, and the Netherlands. “Fame” reached the top of the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart and #1 in five other countries. “Out Here on My Own” reached #19 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. These early successes undoubtedly contributed to Irene Cara’s net worth and established her as a prominent figure in the entertainment industry.
“Flashdance… What a Feeling” and Peak Success
The year 1983 marked a turning point in Irene Cara’s career with the release of “Flashdance… What a Feeling,” the theme song for the film “Flashdance.” Cara not only performed the song but also co-wrote the lyrics, a feat that would earn her significant accolades and royalties. The song became a global phenomenon, reaching #1 on the charts in more than a dozen countries. In the United States, the song topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart for several weeks and was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). In Canada, the song was certified 2x Platinum. The song achieved Platinum status in France, and Gold status in the U.S., Denmark, and Italy. “Flashdance… What a Feeling” earned Irene Cara an Academy Award for Best Original Song, a Golden Globe for Best Original Song – Motion Picture, and two Grammy Awards: Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female, and Best Album of Original Score Written for a Motion Picture or Television Special. These awards significantly boosted her profile and earning potential. The song’s enduring popularity is evident in its inclusion on prestigious lists such as “AFI’s 100 Years … 100 Songs” (#55), the Recording Industry Association of America’s “Songs of the Century” (#256), and “The ‘Billboard’ Hot 100 All-Time Top Songs” (#26). While it’s difficult to pinpoint the exact royalties earned from “Flashdance… What a Feeling,” the song’s widespread success and enduring popularity suggest that it generated substantial income for Irene Cara throughout her career.
Subsequent Albums and Film Roles
Following the success of “Flashdance… What a Feeling,” Irene Cara continued to release albums and pursue acting roles. In 1982, she released her debut album, “Anyone Can See,” which reached #76 on the Billboard 200 chart and #39 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. Her third album, “Carasmatic,” was released in 1987 on Elektra Records. While these albums did not achieve the same level of success as “Flashdance… What a Feeling,” they contributed to her overall income stream. Throughout the 1980s, Irene Cara appeared in several films, including “Killing ’em Softly” (1982), “D.C. Cab” (1983), and “City Heat” (1984). While the box office earnings for these films varied, her roles in them provided her with valuable exposure and acting fees. She also took part in the TV movie “Sister, Sister” (1982). In 1990, Irene Cara voiced Snow White in the animated musical “Happily Ever After,” and she also lent her voice to the films “Beauty and the Beast” (1992), “The Magic Voyage” (1992), and “The Jungle King” (1994). These voice acting roles provided her with another avenue for generating income.
“What a Feelin'” Royalty Fight
Despite her success, Irene Cara faced financial challenges due to a dispute over royalties from her 1983 album “What a Feelin’,” which included “Flashdance… What a Feeling.” By mid-1984, she had received only $183 in royalties from her record company, Network Records. While Network eventually paid her around $60,000, Cara filed a lawsuit against the record company in 1985 for $10 million in punitive damages, alleging that Network Records executive Al Coury had withheld $2 million in deals involving “Flashdance… What a Feeling.” In 1993, a Los Angeles judge awarded Cara $1.5 million after concluding that her career had been damaged by the royalty dispute. This legal battle highlights the complexities of the music industry and the challenges that artists sometimes face in securing fair compensation for their work. The awarded $1.5 million would certainly have contributed to her net worth at the time.
Later Career and Performances
In later years, Irene Cara continued to perform and make appearances in various projects. In 2004, she had a cameo in the film “Downtown: A Street Tale.” The following year, she competed on the NBC series “Hit Me, Baby, One More Time,” winning the third round after performing “Flashdance… What a Feeling” and a cover of Anastacia’s “I’m Outta Love” with her all-female band, Hot Caramel. In 2006, her song “Forever My Love” was featured on the compilation album “Gay Happening Vol. 12,” and in 2011, she released her fourth album, “Irene Cara Presents Hot Caramel.” These later endeavors demonstrate her continued passion for music and performance. The revenue generated from these projects, while potentially less substantial than her earlier successes, would have contributed to her overall income.
Awards and Recognition
Throughout her career, Irene Cara received numerous awards and nominations, solidifying her status as a celebrated artist. In 1984, she won an Academy Award for Best Music, Original Song for “Flashdance… What a Feeling.” She won a Golden Globe for Best Original Song – Motion Picture for the track, and in 1981, she earned a Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical nomination for “Fame.” That year she also received Grammy nominations for Best New Artist and Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female for “Fame.” In 1984, Irene won Grammys for Best Album of Original Score Written for a Motion Picture or Television Special for “Flashdance” and Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female for “Flashdance… What a Feeling” and earned nominations for Album of the Year for “Flashdance (Original Soundtrack From The Motion Picture)” and Record of the Year for “Flashdance… What a Feeling.” The song also won a National Music Publisher’s Association Award for Best Song in a Movie and received a BAFTA Award nomination for Best Original Song. In 1982, Cara won an NAACP Image Award for Best Actress in a TV Movie, Miniseries or Drama Special for “Sister, Sister.” In 2004, she was inducted into the Ciboney Cafe Hall of Fame, and she was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Prestige Awards. These accolades not only recognized her talent and contributions to the entertainment industry but also enhanced her reputation and earning potential.
Personal Life
Irene Cara married actor/film director/stuntman Conrad Palmisano on April 13, 1986, in Los Angeles. Cara starred in Palmisano’s 1986 film “Busted Up,” and Conrad also directed the 1985 sci-fi Western “Space Rage.” The couple divorced five years later. Details on settlements are private.
Death
Irene Cara passed away on November 25, 2022, at the age of 63 at her home in Florida. Her death marked the end of a vibrant and successful career that spanned music, film, and stage. While the details of her estate are not publicly available, it is reasonable to assume that her net worth of $2 million was distributed to her heirs or as directed by her will.
