Beloved American actress Gena Rowlands, renowned for her iconic performances in films such as *The Notebook* and *Another Woman*, has passed away at the age of 94.
Rowlands, a two-time Oscar nominee for her roles in 1974’s *A Woman Under the Influence* and 1980’s *Gloria*, died peacefully at her home in Indian Wells, California. While no official cause of death has been disclosed, sources indicate she had been battling Alzheimer’s disease.
After a celebrated career that included four Emmy Awards, two Golden Globes, and two Academy Award nominations, Rowlands stepped away from acting in 2015. Both *A Woman Under the Influence* and *Gloria* were significant collaborations with her late husband, John Cassavetes.
Her impressive Emmy wins were for performances in *The Betty Ford Story*, *Face of a Stranger*, *Hysterical Blindness*, and *The Incredible Mrs. Ritchie*.
Originally from Wisconsin, Rowlands made a name for herself on Broadway, starring in the debut of *The Seven Year Itch* and later in the 1956 play *Middle of the Night*.
In 2015, she was honored with a prestigious Academy Award acknowledging her extensive contributions to the film industry. Reflecting on her lengthy career, she remarked, “Working this long? I didn’t even think I’d be living this long.”
Rowlands also captivated audiences in numerous other films, including *Faces*, *Opening Night*, *Unhook the Stars*, *Hope Floats*, and *The Neon Bible*. Her final collaboration with her son, Nick Cassavetes, in 2004’s *The Notebook*, provided a poignant connection to her later life, as he discussed her struggle with dementia in the years that followed. “We spent a lot of time talking about Alzheimer’s and wanting to be authentic with it,” he shared, reflecting on their shared experience.
