Gena Rowlands, the celebrated American actress known for her iconic roles in films directed by her first husband, John Cassavetes, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 94, according to media reports.
Rowlands died peacefully at her home in Indian Wells, California, surrounded by her family, as reported by TMZ. While no official cause of death has been confirmed, her son, Nick Cassavetes, revealed in June that she had been battling Alzheimer’s disease for the past five years, according to The New York Times.
Rowlands’ illustrious career was defined by her work in 10 films directed by John Cassavetes, with whom she was married for nearly 35 years until his death in 1989. Together, they formed a dynamic and compelling on-screen partnership that spanned three decades, exploring intense themes of passion, self-destruction, and the complexities of human relationships.
One of her most memorable performances came in 1974’s A Woman Under the Influence, where Rowlands delivered a haunting portrayal of a housewife’s descent into mental illness, earning her the first of two Oscar nominations. Her portrayal in the film was widely regarded as a masterclass in acting, with Woody Allen praising her as “incapable of an unreal moment.” Actress Winona Ryder also lauded Rowlands’ talent, especially when they worked together in Jim Jarmusch’s Night on Earth in 1992.
Born on June 19, 1930, in Cambria, Wisconsin, Rowlands grew up in a cultured, middle-class family. Her father was a state senator, and her mother was a painter and occasional actress. She pursued her passion for acting at New York’s American Academy of Drama, where she met Cassavetes in 1953. The couple married a year later and embarked on a creative partnership that would leave a lasting impact on cinema.
Rowlands’ career was marked by standout performances, particularly in films like A Woman Under the Influence, where she played Mabel, a housewife driven to madness by the pressures of her life and marriage. This role also earned an Oscar nomination for Cassavetes as a director. Despite the tragic end of her husband due to liver failure in 1989, Rowlands continued to make significant contributions to film and television, winning four Emmys throughout her career.
She and Cassavetes had three children, all of whom followed in their parents’ footsteps, working in film and television. Her son Nick directed her in the beloved 2004 film The Notebook, where she starred alongside Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams.
In 2012, Rowlands married retired businessman Robert Forrest. Three years later, in 2015, she was honored with an honorary Academy Award, the same year she chose to retire from acting. Gena Rowlands’ legacy continues to inspire generations of actors and filmmakers, and her impact on the world of cinema will be remembered for years to come.
