No shade to The Notebook, but Gena Rowlands was often considered one of the best actors of all time. Rowlands was remembered fondly by her peers, as well as fans, after news of her death broke Wednesday night. Michael McKean called her “Irreplacable,” and film critic Richard Roeper wrote she was “the type of actor who was universally admired by others actors, as well as moviegoers.
What a blazing talent.” A significant portion of Rowland’s body of work was with her husband, John Cassavetes. Fans shared pictures of the pair, a model not just of love but artistic partnership and true consanguinity.
Below are social media posts from Danny DeVito, Carrie Coon, Ione Sky, and more. Remembering Gena Rowlands (1930-2024), star of the #NYFF6 Main Slate selection FACES, the #NYFF12 Main Slate selection A WOMAN UNDER THE INFLUENCE, and the #NYFF26 Main Slate selection OPENING NIGHT, all from director John Cassavetes, Rowland's partner on set and in life. pic.
twitter.com/7OnBz1bf8D oh, Gena. the greatest actress to ever do it.
gone, but continuous. 💔⛲️❤️🩹 pic.twitter.
com/w5IiBuefJB Gena 😞love ❤️ One of the best ever ever ever. Gena Rowlands in Opening Night is unreal. pic.
twitter.com/FFAGkrK9Qd RIP Gena Rowlands. Irreplaceable.
We lost Gena Rowlands—one of the greats—but also our dignity, as headlines trumpet: actress from “The Notebook”. Gena Rowlands was the type of actor who was universally admired by others actors, as well as moviegoers. What.