Gena Rowlands, the iconic American actress celebrated for her powerful performances in The Notebook and A Woman Under the Influence, has died at the age of 94. Rowlands passed away at her home in Indian Wells, California. While no official cause of death has been given, reports indicate she had been battling Alzheimer’s disease.
Known for her collaborations with her late husband, filmmaker John Cassavetes, Rowlands received two Oscar nominations for her roles in A Woman Under the Influence (1974) and Gloria (1980). Her remarkable career spanned decades, earning her four Emmys, two Golden Globes, and an honorary Academy Award in 2015.
Rowlands’ career began on Broadway, where she starred in The Seven Year Itch and Middle of the Night. She later became a prominent figure in independent cinema with standout roles in Faces, Opening Night, and Unhook the Stars. Her performances brought raw emotion and authenticity, particularly in her portrayal of complex, often conflicted characters.
In 2004, she appeared in The Notebook, directed by her son Nick Cassavetes, playing a woman grappling with dementia—a role that tragically mirrored her own later years. “We spent a lot of time talking about Alzheimer’s and wanting to be authentic with it,” Nick said in a recent interview. “Now, for the last five years, she’s had Alzheimer’s. It’s so crazy—we lived it, she acted it, and now it’s on us.”
Rowlands leaves behind a legacy as one of the most gifted actresses of her generation, remembered for her fearless performances and her lasting impact on film and television.
