Gena Rowlands

Virginia Cathryn "Gena" Rowlands (/ˈɛnə/;[1] June 19, 1930 – August 14, 2024) was an American actress. She won several Golden Globe and Emmy Awards. She starred opposite Robert Lansing in The 87th Precinct as a woman who was deaf. She also acted in the 1980 picture Gloria as the title character. In 2004, she starred as old Allie in The Notebook.

Gena Rowlands
Gena Rowlands 87th Precinct 1961.JPG
Rowlands in 1961
Born
Virginia Cathryn Rowlands

(1930-06-19)June 19, 1930
DiedAugust 14, 2024(2024-08-14) (aged 94)
Cause of deathProblems caused by Alzheimer's disease
Alma materAmerican Academy of Dramatic Arts
OccupationActress
Years active1949–2014
Spouse(s)
Children
Parents

In November 2015, Rowlands received an Honorary Academy Award in recognition of her unique screen performances.[2]

Early life

Rowlands was born on June 19, 1930, in Madison, Wisconsin.[3][4] She was raised in Washington, D.C., Milwaukee, Wisconsin and in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She left for New York City to study drama at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.[5]

Personal life

Rowlands was married to director John Cassavetes from 1954 until his death in 1989. They had three children, including director Nick Cassavetes. In 2012, Rowlands married businessman Robert Forrest.

In June 2024, it was revealed that Rowlands had been living with Alzheimer's disease for the past five years.[6] She died from the disease at her home in Indian Wells, California, on August 14, 2024, at the age of 94.[7]

Gena Rowlands Media

References

  1. "Say How: R". National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
  2. Tim Gray (August 27, 2015). "Gena Rowlands, Spike Lee, Debbie Reynolds to Receive Governors Awards Oscars". Variety. Archived from the original on January 19, 2018. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  3. "Gena Rowlands, Actress Who Brought Raw Drama to Her Roles, Dies at 94". The New York Times. August 14, 2024. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
  4. "Gena Rowlands, Acting Legend and Notebook Star, Dies at 94". Vanity Fair. August 14, 2024. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
  5. Gilpatrick, Kristin (2002). Famous Wisconsin Film Stars. Badger Books Inc. p. 158. ISBN 978-1-878569-86-8.
  6. Huff, Lauren (25 June 2024). "'The Notebook' star Gena Rowlands has Alzheimer's, according to her son Nick Cassavetes" (in en). EW.com. https://ew.com/the-notebook-star-gena-rowlands-has-alzheimers-8668642. Retrieved 25 June 2024. 
  7. Schultz, Rick (August 14, 2024). "Gena Rowlands, ‘The Notebook’ and ‘A Woman Under the Influence’ Star, Dies at 94". Variety. https://variety.com/2024/film/obituaries-people-news/gena-rowlands-dead-the-notebook-gloria-1236107324/. Retrieved August 14, 2024. 

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