Remember Their Names: The Shocking Fates And Current Careers Of The *Fame* Movie Actresses

The 1980 film Fame, a gritty, yet exhilarating look into the lives of students at New York City's High School of Performing Arts, launched a global phenomenon that transcended cinema, spawning a hit TV series and a 2009 remake. The young women who starred in this musical drama became instant icons, embodying the raw ambition and struggle for artistic success. As of December 2025, the careers and personal lives of these actresses have taken dramatically different—and in some cases, heartbreaking—paths, solidifying the film's reputation as a powerful, yet sometimes foreboding, reflection on the price of stardom.

From Oscar-winning singers to powerhouse directors and television stars, the cast of *Fame* continues to shape the entertainment landscape, while one of its biggest stars left a legacy that is only recently being fully understood. This deep-dive explores the most current and unique updates on the lives of the key actresses who famously told the world to "Remember my name."

Irene Cara: The Tragic Legacy of the Original *Fame* Icon

The most significant and recent update regarding the *Fame* actresses involves the passing of Irene Cara, who starred as the ambitious singer/actress Coco Hernandez in the 1980 original. Cara not only delivered a powerful performance but also sang the Oscar-winning title song, "Fame," and the hit single "Out Here on My Own." Her impact on the film and music industries is undeniable, but her final years were marked by a sad isolation.

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Irene Cara's Biography and Final Days

• Full Name: Irene Cara Escalera
• Born: March 18, 1959, in The Bronx, New York City, U.S.
• Died: November 25, 2022 (Age 63) in Largo, Florida, U.S.
• Breakthrough Role: Coco Hernandez in *Fame* (1980)
• Major Works: *Fame* (1980), *Flashdance* (1983 - sang and co-wrote "Flashdance... What a Feeling" which won an Oscar, Golden Globe, and Grammy), *Sparkle* (1976).
• Cause of Death: Arteriosclerotic and Hypertensive Cardiovascular Disease, with Diabetes Mellitus listed as a contributory condition.
• Latest Update: Reports following her death revealed that the singer-actress spent her final days as a "recluse" in her Florida home, a stark contrast to the vibrant, global star she once was.

The loss of Irene Cara in late 2022 sent shockwaves through the industry, prompting tributes from former co-stars like Lee Curreri and Jennifer Beals. Her death, attributed to heart disease and diabetes, closed a chapter on one of the most talented voices of the 1980s. Her dual success with both the *Fame* and *Flashdance* theme songs remains a legendary feat in music history, securing her place as a true Hollywood and music icon.

The *Fame* Actresses: Where Are They Now? (1980 Cast)

While Irene Cara's story is one of a complicated legacy, other key actresses from the 1980 film have forged impressive and enduring careers, with several remaining highly active in the industry today.

Debbie Allen: The Enduring Icon of Dance and Directing

Debbie Allen, who played the formidable dance teacher Lydia Grant, is the only actor to have appeared in all three screen incarnations of *Fame* (1980 film, TV series, and 2009 remake). Her career has only accelerated since her time at the High School of Performing Arts.

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• Current Projects (2025): Allen is a major force in television and theater. She is currently involved in an in-development play with music based on the life and work of Maya Angelou. Furthermore, she is producing and directing an untitled HBCU-themed TV pilot, actively launching casting calls to find new talent.
• Recent Work: She is a celebrated director and executive producer for major television shows, including *Grey's Anatomy* and its spin-off *Station 19*. Her work on the series *Step Up: High Water* also saw her flexing her directing powers in a dance-focused drama.
• Legacy: Allen is a three-time Emmy Award winner and a five-time NAACP Image Award winner, known for her dedication to arts education through the Debbie Allen Dance Academy (DADA). Her influence as a choreographer and director continues to shape the careers of countless artists.

Laura Dean (Lisa Monroe) and Maureen Teefy (Doris Finsecker)

The other student actresses from the 1980 cast have maintained careers that reflect the diverse paths artists take after a breakout role.

• Laura Dean (Lisa Monroe): Dean, who played the aspiring ballet dancer Lisa Monroe—the student famously told she would never be a great dancer—transitioned successfully to Broadway. She is a Broadway award-winner known for her work in productions like *The Who's Tommy* and *Doonesbury*. More recently, she has been performing in the New York cabaret and concert scene, including a new show at 54 Below that spans her career and love for opera.
• Maureen Teefy (Doris Finsecker): Teefy, who played the shy, dramatic actress Doris Finsecker, is also known for her role as Pink Lady Sharon in *Grease 2* (1982) and a part in *Supergirl* (1984). In recent years, Teefy has focused on theater and solo performance, having performed her one-woman show, "A Subject for a Short Story," at Solofest in Los Angeles, showcasing her enduring commitment to the performing arts.

These women, representing the drama and dance departments of the High School of Performing Arts, demonstrate the long-term career resilience required to sustain a life in the entertainment industry.

The New Generation: 2009 Cast Members and Their Current Careers

The 2009 remake of *Fame* introduced a new ensemble of talented young performers. While the film didn't achieve the same cultural impact as the original, several of its actresses have gone on to forge successful and highly visible careers, proving that the dream of stardom is still alive.

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Naturi Naughton: From Pop Star to Powerhouse Actress

Naturi Naughton, who played Denise Dupree, the classically trained pianist with a secret desire to sing R&B, has become arguably the most commercially successful actress from the 2009 cast.

• Breakthrough Success: After *Fame*, Naughton gained massive recognition for her long-running, critically acclaimed role as Tasha St. Patrick in the hit Starz crime drama series *Power* and its subsequent spin-offs, earning her the title of "Power actress."
• Current Projects: Naughton-Lewis is highly active in film and television. Her recent projects include starring in the Lifetime movie *Eric Jerome Dickey's Friends and Lovers* and the film *Abducted at an HBCU: A Black Girl Missing Movie*.
• Personal Updates: The actress has also been open about her personal journey, recently discussing her significant weight loss and transformation, stating that she feels like a 'Superwoman' and reflecting on how the change impacted her mental health and confidence. Her career trajectory is a testament to the fact that for many, the road to fame is a marathon, not a sprint.

Kherington Payne: The Dancer Who Found Film

Kherington Payne, who played the wealthy, ballet-focused Alice Ellerton in the 2009 film, came to *Fame* with a strong background in competitive and commercial dance, having been a finalist on *So You Think You Can Dance*.

• Current Focus: Payne’s career has remained centered on dance and acting. She has worked as a principal dancer for major pop stars like Katy Perry and was a lead cast member on the reality docu-drama *The Dance Scene*.
• Recent Work: She starred in the feature film *Born to Dance*, a project that allowed her to showcase both her acting and dancing talents.
• Personal Life: In recent years, Payne has focused on her family, marrying Drew Luther and welcoming a daughter in 2019, demonstrating a successful balance between her professional career in the dance scene and her personal life.

The stories of the *Fame* movie actresses, spanning over four decades, serve as a compelling study of ambition, talent, and the unpredictable nature of celebrity. From the tragic final days of Irene Cara to the enduring success of Debbie Allen and the rising star of Naturi Naughton, the film's core message remains true: if you want to make it, you must truly earn it, and the journey is rarely what the students of the High School of Performing Arts envisioned.