Laura Ann Branigan (July 3, 1957 – August 26, 2004) was an American singer-songwriter and actress of Irish descent. She is best known for her 1982 Platinum-certified hit "Gloria" and for the number-four single "Self Control". Branigan is also remembered for the Top 10 "Solitaire" and for the number-one adult contemporary hit "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You", as well as four other US Top 40 hits.
Branigan also contributed songs to notable motion picture and television soundtracks, including the Grammy and Academy Award-winning Flashdance soundtrack (1983), the Ghostbusters soundtrack (1984), and the Baywatch soundtrack (1994), as well as having songs featured in the popular Grand Theft Auto video game series.
Her signature song "Gloria" stayed on the Billboard Hot 100 for 36 weeks, at the time a record for a female artist. The song holds a place in the top 100 singles of both 1982 and 1983. She is very famous for her strong raspy alto voice which spans 4 octaves.
Branigan died at her home in East Quogue, New York, on August 26, 2004, of a previously undiagnosed cerebral aneurysm.

Albums:

Branigan (1982)
Branigan 2 (1983)
Self Control (1984)
Hold Me (1985)
Touch (1987)
Laura Branigan (1990)
Over My Heart (1993)