Gena Rowlands is dead.
Gena Rowlands often embodied dark, emotional characters, women on the brink. She frequently starred in films directed by her husband, John Cassavetes. Now, the actress has passed away at the age of 94.
American actress Gena Rowlands has passed away. Her death was confirmed by the talent agency WME, which represents her son, Nick Cassavetes. Rowlands, who gained international recognition with "A Woman Under the Influence," died on Wednesday surrounded by her family at her home in Indian Wells, California, according to U.S. media reports. She was 94 years old.
Director Nick Cassavetes told The New York Times in June that his mother had been suffering from Alzheimer's disease for five years. He cast Rowlands in the 2004 romantic drama "The Notebook," in which she played a woman with Alzheimer's in a nursing home. Her last film appearance was in the 2014 comedy "Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks," after which she confirmed her retirement from acting.
Rowlands' career is intrinsically linked to actor and independent filmmaker John Cassavetes, whom she was married to for 35 years until his death in 1989. The couple had three children who followed them into the film industry. She starred in innovative films with Cassavetes, such as "A Woman Under the Influence" and "Gloria," both of which earned her an Oscar nomination. After her husband's death, she appeared in films like "Night on Earth." Rowlands' roles, particularly in Cassavetes' films, were often dark and emotional character studies of women on the fringes of society.
In 2015, the Film Academy honored the then 85-year-old actress with an honorary Oscar for her lifetime achievement. Actress Cate Blanchett praised Rowlands' "intense authenticity" and the "directness of her acting" in her tribute speech.
Gena Rowlands' passing at the age of 94 has led to numerous deaths of tributes from film enthusiasts worldwide. Her lifelong contribution to cinema, marked by her portrayal of dark, emotional characters, has left an indelible impact on film history.
