Best known as a singer of movie themes, she also worked as an actress since she was a child.
In 1967 she appeared on Broadway in the musical Maggie Flynn at the young age of eight.
At the age of sixteen she had roles in TV series such as Roots 2 in 1979 and Fame in 1980.
Irene sang the title song for Fame which earned her an Oscar Award and hit The Top Ten along with Flash Dance's "What A Feelin".
