Gore's partner Lois Sasson told the AP that Gore had been fighting lung cancer.

Gore skyrocketed to fame at the age of 16 with the hit song "It's My Party." Her songs also include "Judy's Turn to Cry," "She's a Fool," "That's the Way Boys Are," "Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows" and "You Don't Own Me," which was featured in the film "The First Wives Club."

In 1983, she was nominated for an Academy Award with her brother Michael Gore, for Best Song, "Out Here On My Own," for the film "Fame." Gore hosted several episodes of the PBS series, "In The Life," which addressed gay and lesbian issues.

The AP reports that Gore had been working with Mark Hampton on a play about her life when she died.

Gore was featured as a guest star in Smokey Joe's Cafe. She also appeared on the TV shows "Batman," "The Donna Reed Show," and "Murphy Brown," among others.