Legendary actor Gena Rowlands, who starred in her son’s iconic tear-jerker “The Notebook,” died at the age of 94 on Wednesday after a battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Rowlands’ death was confirmed by representatives for her filmmaker son, Nick Cassavetes, who revealed his mother’s diagnosis earlier this year. She died Wednesday at her home in Indian Wells, California, surrounded by loved ones, TMZ reported.
Rowlands and her late husband, director John Cassavetes, were pioneers in the independent film industry and teamed up to make a total of 10 movies together, including “Minnie and Moskowitz” in 1971, “Opening Night” in 1977 and “Love Streams” in 1984. She was nominated for two Academy Awards during her career — for the 1974 drama “A Woman Under the Influence,” in which she stars as a wife and mother struggling with domestic life; and for 1980’s “Gloria,” in which she plays a woman who helps a young boy being hunted by the mob. Rowlands also won three Primetime Emmy Awards, one Daytime Emmy and two Golden Globes.
She was awarded an honorary Oscar in 2015 in recognition of her work and legacy in Hollywood. “You know what’s wonderful about being an actress? You don’t just live one life,” she said at the Oscars podium. “You live many lives.
” The Hollywood star was introduced to a new generation through her son’s blockbuster rom-com “The Notebook” in 2004. She played an elderly woman with dementia reflecting on her past roman.