Gena Rowlands, the acclaimed Oscar-winning American actress, has passed away at the age of 94. Her son, Nick Cassavetes, confirmed the news on Thursday morning via Instagram.
In June, Cassavetes had shared that his mother had been battling Alzheimer’s disease, a form of dementia that impairs memory, thinking, and behavior. Over time, the symptoms can become severe enough to disrupt daily activities. He also disclosed that his mother was living with full dementia, making her portrayal of Allie Calhoun in the 2004 film The Notebook — a character who struggles with Alzheimer’s — particularly poignant. Cassavetes noted that his mother was deeply committed to delivering an authentic performance. “I got my mom to play older Allie, and we spent a lot of time talking about Alzheimer’s and wanting to be authentic with it, and now, for the last five years, she’s had Alzheimer’s,” he said in an interview. “She’s in full dementia. And it’s so crazy — we lived it, she acted it, and now it’s on us.”
Rowlands began her career on television in New York during the 1950s. Her remarkable talent quickly led her to roles in several films, including The High Cost of Loving (1958), Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks, Lonely Are the Brave, Minnie and Moskowitz, and Faces. Her impressive filmography also includes Opening Night, Another Woman, Hope Floats, Unhook the Stars, Playing by Heart, The Notebook, and Broken English.
Throughout her illustrious career, Rowlands was honored with numerous accolades. She won four Emmy Awards and two Golden Globe Awards. Additionally, she received two Academy Award nominations for her roles in A Woman Under the Influence (1974) and Gloria (1980). Both of these films were directed by her late husband, filmmaker John Cassavetes.
In recognition of her extraordinary contributions to cinema, Gena Rowlands was awarded an honorary Oscar in 2015, celebrating her lifetime achievements in the film industry. Her legacy as a talented and versatile actress will continue to inspire future generations.
Source: lifestyle.thecable.ng
