Gena Rowlands, known for her daring roles in films directed by her husband John Cassavetes, lost her life at the grand age of 94. The sad news was verified by the representatives of Nick Cassavetes, the couple’s son and famous filmmaker, who worked with her on the movie The Notebook. Nick had earlier admitted that his mother was battling Alzheimer’s.
Choosing to work outside the glitzy Hollywood studio circuit, Gena and John Cassavetes crafted true-to-life stories of the working-class everyday heroes, in acclaimed films such as A Woman Under the Influence, Gloria and Faces. The creative couple produced 10 films together spanning four enriching decades; including Open Night in 1977, Minnie, and Moskowitz in 1971, and Love Streams in 1984.
Rowlands gave memorable performances in A Woman Under the Influence in 1974, where she played a mother grappling with the monotonous domestic life, and in Gloria in 1980 that told the tale of her character protecting a young boy from the mob — two films that earned her Oscar nominations.
Gena maintained that her husband had a unique understanding of the challenges faced by women in society, and he reflected this in his films, crafting complex, layered women characters. Her remarkable career was decorated with three Prime Time Emmy Awards, a Day Time Emmy, two Golden Globes, and an honorary Academy Award in 2015 for her significant contributions to the film industry.
The meaningful essence of being an actress, she shared in one moment, was living a myriad of lives, not just one. A more recent generation was captivated by her unforgettable performance in The Notebook, playing an elderly woman reminiscing a splendid romance, under the shadow of a failing memory; her past self was brought to life convincingly by Rachel McAdams. Rowlands also graced Nick Cassavetes’ 1996 production Unhook the Stars.
Rowlands, in her twilight years, made multiple guest star appearances in both cinema and television, such as The Skeleton Key and Monk – a detective TV series. Her film careers ended in 2014 when she last featured in Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks as a retiree who gets acquainted with her homosexual dance coach.
Rowlands and Cassavetes crossed paths at the American School of Dramatic Arts during the initial stages of their professional careers. They exchanged vows after a mere four months of courtship.
The couple had three children – Nick and their two daughters, Alexandra and Zoe, who ventured into the same career path in acting.
Cassavetes succumbed to liver cirrhosis in 1989, pushing Rowlands to return to the stage in a bid to alleviate her mourning. In between her acting gigs, she found time to attend festivals and gatherings involving Cassavetes’ screenings.
She passionately voiced her desire for more people to appreciate his films at the 1992 San Sebastián Festival. She described John as a unique, utterly courageous individual with a deeply-seated perspective on life and the uniqueness of individuals, as per AP.