Gena Rowlands, renowned for her groundbreaking performance in A Woman Under the Influence and her role in The Notebook, has passed away at the age of 94 at her home in Indian Wells, California.
The news of her death was confirmed by her son’s agent. Earlier this year, Nick Cassavetes revealed that Rowlands, a celebrated actress with three Emmys and two Oscar nominations, had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
Rowlands’ first Academy Award nomination came from her portrayal of Mabel Longhetti in the 1974 film A Woman Under the Influence, a role specifically written for her by her husband, John Cassavetes. She earned a second nomination for her performance in Gloria (1980), another project by Cassavetes.
In 2015, she was honored with an honorary Academy Award at the Governors Awards. Reflecting on her career, Rowlands humorously remarked about her longevity, saying, “I didn’t even think I’d be living this long,” as reported by Variety.
Following John Cassavetes’ death in 1989, Rowlands continued to work, frequently appearing in films directed by her children. She took on roles in Nick Cassavetes’ Unhook the Stars (1996), The Notebook (2004), and Yellow (2012), as well as in Zoe Cassavetes’ Broken English (2007). She also starred in Terence Davies’ The Neon Bible (1995).
From her early career on Broadway to her transition into film, Rowlands adapted seamlessly to various roles. In her acceptance speech at the Governors Awards, she spoke about embracing character roles as she aged, a testament to her adaptability and dedication.
Critic Janet Maslin praised Rowlands for her emotional depth and authenticity in A Woman Under the Influence, highlighting her performance as “blood-curdlingly authentic.”
Rowlands’ final film appearances were in Parts Per Billion (2014) and Dancing for Six Weeks (2014). At a ceremony in December 2014, Variety celebrated her profound impact on portraying mental breakdowns in cinema.
Rowlands began her film career in 1958 with The High Cost of Loving and later played a range of roles, including a resolute mother in Lonely Are the Brave (1962) and a distressed parent in A Child Is Waiting (1963). Her collaboration with John Cassavetes on films like Faces (1968) and Love Streams (1984) influenced independent American cinema.
Beyond her work with Cassavetes, Rowlands appeared in mainstream films such as Two Minute Warning and Machine Gun McCain. Her television career was distinguished, earning her eight Emmy nominations and three wins: for The Betty Ford Story (1987), Face of a Stranger (1992), and Hysterical Blindness (2003). She also won a Daytime Emmy for The Incredible Mrs. Ritchie (2004) and starred in the pioneering AIDS drama An Early Frost (1985).
Born Virginia Cathryn Rowlands in Madison, Wisconsin, she studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York, where she met and married John Cassavetes. Her early television work included Top Secret (1954) and Studio One in Hollywood. On Broadway, she appeared in The Seven Year Itch (1952) and Middle of the Night (1956).
In her later years, Rowlands made appearances on television, including guest spots on Monk (2009) and NCIS (2010). She is survived by her children Nick, Zoe, and Alexandra, several grandchildren, and her second husband, Robert Forrest, whom she married in 2012.