Gena Rowlands, who most recently played the older Allie in the movie "The Notebook," has passed away. She was 94. Her son Nick Cassavetes, who also directed the movie, confirmed the news with People .
According to TMZ , the actress died in her Indian Wells, CA home, surrounded by family. Previously, Entertainment Weekly reported that Rowlands was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease, and that she's had it for five years. Rowlands was known for her role as the older version of Rachel McAdams' character Allie in the film adaptation of “The Notebook.
” Incidentally, Rowland’s character in the movie also had dementia. Alzheimer's is a specific type of dementia, and has no known cure. "It is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that primarily affects memory and cognitive functions," explains the University of California , Los Angeles School of Medicine.
There are other types of dementia but according to Healthline but Alzheimer's is the most common type. "It gets worse with time and affects memory, language, and thought," it said. Family history plays a role, and while TODAY reports the biggest factor is age, with symptoms appearing by age 65, Alzheimer's is not an expected part of aging.
Aside from “The Notebook,” Rowland also starred in several film with her late husband John Cassavetes such as “A Child Is Waiting,” and “Tempest,” among others. — Jade Veronique Yap/LA, GMA Integrated News.
