Gena Rowlands ' The Notebook' actress dies aged 94

Gena Rowlands, the celebrated actress renowned for her compelling performances in film and television, has passed away at the age of 94. Her death marks the end of an era for a performer whose contributions to cinema have left an indelible mark on audiences and fellow artists alike. Rowlands' portrayal of strong, complex female characters resonated with viewers and critics, making her a prominent figure in the landscape of American film. Her role in "The Notebook," where she depicted an elderly version of Allie Nelson, showcased not only her remarkable talent but also her ability to convey deep emotional truths that transcend generational divides.

Rowlands was born on June 19, 1930, in Madison, Wisconsin. She began her career in theater before transitioning to television and film. Throughout her extensive career spanning over six decades, she collaborated with influential directors such as John Cassavetes, who was also her husband. Their partnership yielded several critically acclaimed films that explored themes of love and human connection. In "The Notebook," Rowlands’ performance captured the essence of enduring love amidst the ravages of time and memory loss—a theme that resonates deeply within contemporary discussions about aging and relationships.

Rowlands died this afternoon at her home in Indian Wells, CA, where she was surrounded by family. No cause of death was given, but the retired actress had been battling Alzheimer’s disease, ironic in light of her film role.

Ms. Rowlands, who often played intoxicated, deranged or otherwise on-the-verge characters, was nominated twice for best actress Oscars in performances directed by Mr. Cassavetes. The first was the title role in “A Woman Under the Influence” (1974), in which her desperate, insecure character is institutionalized by her blue-collar husband (Peter Falk) because he doesn’t know what else to do. The critic Roger Ebert wrote in The Chicago Sun-Times that Ms. Rowlands was “so touchingly vulnerable to every kind of influence around her that we don’t want to tap her because she might fall apart.”

In 1956 she starred in Broadway play Middle of the Night.

In 2015, she was given an honorary Academy Award for her long acting career.

“Working this long? I didn’t even think I’d be living this long,” she recently told Variety.

She also starred in films Faces, Opening Night, Unhook the Stars, Yellow and Broken English, Hope Floats, Tempest, The Brink's Job, Tony Rome and The Neon Bible.

The Notebook was directed in 2004 by her son Nick Cassavetes, who recently spoke to Entertainment Weekly about how his mother played a character suffering from dementia.

Rowlands is survived by her children, Nick, Zoe and Alexandra (Xan), a number of grandchildren and her second husband, Robert Forrest. The two married in 2012.

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 Sarah H

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