Iconic Actress and ‘The Notebook’ Star Gena Rowlands Dead at 94

It is always a sad day when we lose someone who is so important to the film and television industry. Unfortunately, we have such news to share today. Reports are coming in stating that actress Gena Rowlands, the actress most well-known to many fans for her role in the 2004 Nicholas Sparks film The Notebook, has died.

Rowlands’ death was confirmed by her family, who spoke to TMZ. The actress died surrounded by her family and loved ones, including her husband, Robert, and her daughter, Alexandra. TMZ also reported that Rowlands’ son, director Nick Cassavetes, had visited with the actress at her California home multiple times this week. Ms. Rowlands was 94 years old.

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Virginia Cathryn Rowlands was born in Cambria, Wisconsin, on June 19, 1930. Her mother, Mary Allen, was a stay-at-home mom for most of her life, but decided to pursue her acting dream later in life. Her mother — who went by the stage name Lady Rowlands — appeared in several films throughout the 1970s. Gena’s father, Edward, was a banker and a state senator.

Rowlands always dreamed of a life in Hollywood, and began her career at just 24 years old. Her first role was playing a woman named Powell in an episode of the television show Top Secret. During her more than 60 years in Hollywood, she appeared in more than 100 films and television shows.

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While Rowlands was one of the most notable names in Hollywood and appeared in a number of incredible films, she was only nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress twice — once for her role as Mabel Longhetti in A Woman Under the Influence (1974) and as Gloria Swenson in Gloria (1980).

She lost out on both of those nominations but was recognized by the Academy with an honorary Oscar at the 2015 Governors Awards.

Rowlands’ son Nick is not the only director in the family. Rowlands married director John Cassavetes when she was just 24 years old, and the two were married until his death in 1989.

During their marriage, Cassavetes directed his wife in several movies, including A Woman Under the Influence and Gloria. He also directed her in Shadows (1959), A Child Is Waiting (1963), Faces (1968), Minnie and Moskowitz (1971), Opening Night (1977), and Love Streams (1984). 

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However, Cassavetes did not just work with his wife behind the camera. He also acted in 80 films and starred alongside his wife in Love Streams. During their marriage, the two had three children, Nick, Alexandra, and Zoe. All three of their children followed in their footsteps — Nick Cassavetes is a director and actor, Alexandra Cassavetes is an actress and director, and Zoe Cassavetes is a screenwriter and actress.

After the death of her first husband, Rowlands did not marry again until 2012, when she married retired businessman Robert Forrest.

Rowlands is perhaps best known for her role as Allie in the hit 2004 film The Notebook. The film starred Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams as Noah and Allie, two teenagers from different sides of the track who fall in love. Allie’s wealthy parents try their hardest to keep the two apart, but in the end, their love is more powerful than anyone and everything.

James Garner and Gena Rowlands played older versions of Noah and Allie. Noah is reading their story to Allie, as she is now suffering from dementia and, most of the time, doesn’t remember Noah or their love story.

Sadly, Rowlands’ life recently began to imitate the beautiful art she created. Earlier this year, her son Nick revealed that the legendary actress was suffering from Alzheimer’s, a type of dementia that affects memory, thinking, and behavior.

Cassavetes revealed his mother’s diagnosis to Entertainment Weekly. He was reminiscing over the 2oth anniversary of The Notebook, in which he had the opportunity to direct his mother. He further revealed that she had been suffering from the heartbreaking disease for five years and was in a state of “full dementia.”

Rowlands is survived by her three children and her second husband. A cause of death has not yet been released.

We extend our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of Gena Rowlands.