Gena Rowlands, the iconic American film legend whose Hollywood career spanned more than six decades, has died at the age of 94. She passed away at her home in Indian Wells, California, surrounded by family, a statement from the representative for her son, director Nick Cassavetes, confirmed to Variety, the trade publication noted.
Details about the cause of death have not been disclosed. Rowlands earned multiple accolades over her long career, including Oscar nominations for A Woman Under the Influence, released in 1974, and Gloria, released in 1980. Both projects were directed by her former husband, filmmaker John Cassavetes, who died in 1989.
In June, her son revealed in an interview with Weekly Entertainment that Rowlands had been living with Alzheimer’s disease. The interview revisited their collaborative work on The Notebook, where Rowlands portrayed a woman facing the trials of memory loss. In the film, she played Allie, the more mature incarnation of the same character later portrayed by Rachel McAdams in the contemporary retelling. Rowlands drew inspiration from her own family history, including the late Cassavetes and his mother, Lady Rowlands, who also battled Alzheimer’s. The portrayal resonated with audiences and underscored Rowlands’s willingness to tackle subjects tied to memory and aging on screen.
Known for her collaborations with her late husband, John Cassavetes, Rowlands appeared in ten projects together with him. Over the course of her career, she earned four Emmy awards and two Golden Globes, cementing her status as one of American cinema’s most respected actors.
Her final feature film appearance came in 2014 with Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks, a comedy-drama in which she co-starred with Cheyenne Jackson. The film marked the last time audiences saw Rowlands on the big screen, ending a storied presence in both independent and mainstream cinema. The enduring impact of Rowlands’s work continues to influence actors and filmmakers who admire her fearless performances and unwavering commitment to character. [Source: Variety]