Gena Rowlands, the acclaimed American actress known for her powerful performances in films like The Notebook and Another Woman, has passed away at the age of 94, per bbc.com. She died at her home in Indian Wells, California, with reports indicating that she had been suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.
Rowlands enjoyed a distinguished career, earning two Oscar nominations for her roles in A Woman Under the Influence (1974) and Gloria (1980), both directed by her late husband, John Cassavetes. She also won four Emmys and two Golden Globes before retiring from acting in 2015.
Born in Wisconsin, Rowlands moved to New York to pursue acting, making her Broadway debut in The Seven Year Itch and later starring in Middle of the Night in 1956. Her filmography includes notable roles in Faces, Opening Night, Unhook the Stars, Yellow, Broken English, Hope Floats, Tempest, The Brink’s Job, Tony Rome, and The Neon Bible.
In 2015, she received an honorary Academy Award in recognition of her illustrious career. Reflecting on her longevity, she humorously remarked, “Working this long? I didn’t even think I’d be living this long,” in an interview with Variety.
In The Notebook (2004), directed by her son Nick Cassavetes, Rowlands portrayed a character suffering from dementia, a role that became tragically prophetic as she herself was later diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Her son recently shared that they had discussed the condition extensively during the film’s production, making her eventual diagnosis all the more poignant.
Gena Rowlands leaves behind a legacy of unforgettable performances and a profound impact on the world of cinema.
- Featured image: Gena Rowlands at the 88th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 28, 2016/Getty Images
