Gena Rowlands, Acclaimed Actress and Collaborator with John Cassavetes, Dies at 94

Gena Rowlands, the celebrated American actress renowned for her intense performances in the films of her first husband, director John Cassavetes, has died at the age of 94. According to reports from US media, including TMZ, Rowlands passed away peacefully at her home in Indian Wells, California, surrounded by her family.

Rowlands, whose death was confirmed on Wednesday, had reportedly been battling Alzheimer’s disease for the past five years, as revealed by her son Nick Cassavetes in June.

Rowlands is best known for her work in ten films directed by Cassavetes, to whom she was married for nearly 35 years until his death in 1989. Their on-screen partnership, which began in the 1960s, is remembered for its exploration of complex themes such as passion, mental illness, and infidelity. Their most famous collaboration, A Woman Under the Influence (1974), earned Rowlands her first of two Oscar nominations for her powerful portrayal of a housewife’s descent into mental illness.

Born on June 19, 1930, in Cambria, Wisconsin, Rowlands pursued acting from an early age, studying at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York. She met John Cassavetes in 1953, and the couple married a year later, forging a creative partnership that would leave a lasting impact on American cinema.

Following Cassavetes’ death, Rowlands continued her career in both film and television, winning four Emmy Awards. In 2004, she appeared in The Notebook, directed by her son Nick Cassavetes, further cementing her legacy as a versatile and talented actress.

In 2015, Rowlands was honored with an Academy Award for her lifetime achievement, marking the same year she retired from acting. Her influence and contributions to film remain indelible, remembered by her captivating performances and deep emotional range.

Rowlands is survived by her three children, all of whom have followed in their parents’ footsteps with careers in film and television.