Gena Rowlands, Iconic Star of ‘The Notebook’ and ‘A Woman Under the Influence,’ Passes Away at 94

Gena Rowlands, the acclaimed actress celebrated for her powerful performances in films such as The Notebook and A Woman Under the Influence, has passed away at the age of 94. Rowlands died on August 14, 2024, at her home in Indian Wells, California, surrounded by family, including her husband Robert Forrest and daughter Alexandra. The news was confirmed by her son, filmmaker Nick Cassavetes, who revealed earlier this year that Rowlands had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease five years ago.

A Legacy of Groundbreaking Performances

Born in June 1930 in Cambria, Wisconsin, Rowlands began her acting career in the 1950s, making her Broadway debut in The Seven Year Itch. She quickly transitioned to television, guest-starring in numerous shows before making her film debut in 1958 with The High Cost of Loving. 

However, it was her collaboration with her husband, director John Cassavetes, that defined her career. The couple worked together on ten films, including A Woman Under the Influence (1974) and Gloria (1980), both of which earned Rowlands Academy Award nominations for Best Actress.

Rowlands’ performances were often characterized by their emotional depth and complexity. In A Woman Under the Influence, she portrayed a housewife struggling with mental health issues, while in Gloria, she played a tough showgirl protecting a young boy from the mob. “He had a particular sympathetic interest in women and their problems in society,” Rowlands once said, highlighting Cassavetes’ focus on strong female characters.

Recognition and Awards

Throughout her illustrious career, Rowlands received numerous accolades, including three Primetime Emmy Awards, a Daytime Emmy, and two Golden Globe Awards. In 2015, she was honored with an Academy Award for her lifetime achievements in film, where she remarked, “You know what’s wonderful about being an actress? You don’t just live one life; you live many lives.”

Rowlands also gained a new generation of fans through her role in The Notebook, where she played an elderly woman reflecting on her lifelong romance. Her performance resonated with audiences, and she expressed surprise at the film’s impact, stating, “I didn’t think it would have that kind of impact… It was about the realization that love can last your whole life.”

Personal Life and Final Years

Rowlands and Cassavetes met while studying at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and married in 1954. Their partnership was both personal and professional, resulting in three children: Nick, Zoe, and Alexandra. After Cassavetes’ death in 1989, Rowlands continued to act, appearing in various films and television series, including The Skeleton Key and Monk. She remarried in 2012 to Robert Forrest.

In her later years, Rowlands faced the challenges of Alzheimer’s disease, a condition that her son poignantly noted mirrored her role in The Notebook. “We lived it, she acted it, and now it’s on us,” he said, reflecting on the irony of life imitating art.