Gena Rowlands, celebrated as one of the greatest actors in cinema history and a pioneering figure in independent filmmaking, has passed away at the age of 94. Her death was confirmed by her son, filmmaker Nick Cassavetes, who earlier disclosed that she had been battling Alzheimer’s disease. Rowlands died at her home in Indian Wells, California.
Rowlands collaborated with her husband, director John Cassavetes, to create memorable and impactful portrayals of everyday individuals and their struggles in films such as “A Woman Under the Influence,” “Gloria,” and “Faces.” Over four decades, she appeared in ten films directed by Cassavetes, including “Minnie and Moskowitz,” “Opening Night,” and “Love Streams.”
She earned Academy Award nominations for her performances in “A Woman Under the Influence,” where she showcased the challenges of a wife and mother under domestic pressure, and for “Gloria,” about a woman protecting a young boy from the mob. Rowlands remarked on Cassavetes’ unique perspective on women’s issues and his ability to portray complex female characters.
In addition to her Oscar nominations, Rowlands received three Primetime Emmy Awards, one Daytime Emmy, and two Golden Globe Awards. In recognition of her contributions to film, she was awarded an honorary Academy Award in 2015, stating, “You know what’s wonderful about being an actress? You don’t just live one life; you live many lives.”
Rowlands gained new fame with her role in Nick Cassavetes’ romantic film “The Notebook,” where she portrayed an elderly woman with Alzheimer’s reminiscing about her profound love story, her younger counterpart played by Rachel McAdams. Her later years saw her participating in projects like “The Skeleton Key” and the TV series “Monk,” with her last film role in “Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks” in 2014.
One of her most notable performances was in “A Woman Under the Influence,” where she depicted a vulnerable housewife, and in “Gloria,” where she played a former showgirl facing threats from her mobster ex-boyfriend, for which she received critical acclaim.
Rowlands and Cassavetes met early in their careers at the American School of Dramatic Arts and married shortly thereafter. They worked together on groundbreaking films, starting with “Shadows,” which marked a significant departure from conventional studio filmmaking.
Born Virginia Cathryn Rowlands in 1930 in Wisconsin, Rowlands pursued her acting dream despite early life challenges. She dropped out of the University of Wisconsin to embark on her career in New York, gaining experience in the burgeoning television drama scene. After leaving her MGM contract, she chose her roles more freely, also taking on television projects and co-starring with Bette Davis in “Strangers.”
Throughout her career, Rowlands appeared in notable films including “Lonely Are the Brave,” “A Child Is Waiting,” and “Light of Day.” She continued to take on challenging roles well into her later years, with significant performances in “Another Woman” and the acclaimed TV film “An Early Frost,” which addressed the AIDS crisis.
Rowlands often reflected on her characters and the impact they had on her life, demonstrating a profound connection to her craft.