Gena Rowlands, ‘The Notebook’ and ‘A Woman Under the Influence’ Star, Dies at 94

As a cinephile who has had the privilege of witnessing the evolution of independent cinema, I find myself deeply saddened by the passing of Virginia Cathryn Rowlands, or Gena as she was affectionately known to her fans and peers. Having collaborated with the legendary John Cassavetes on ten films, Rowlands played an instrumental role in shaping the American independent film movement of the 70s and 80s.

As a devoted cinephile, I’m deeply saddened to share that Gena Rowlands, an iconic actress whose courageous and groundbreaking portrayal in “A Woman Under the Influence” left an indelible mark on cinema, passed away at her home in Indian Wells, California. She was 94 years old. Her exceptional talent graced not only this timeless masterpiece but also numerous other films directed by John Cassavetes, as well as the beloved romantic film “The Notebook.” Her legacy will continue to inspire generations of actors and filmmakers.

It was confirmed through her son’s representative that she passed away. Back in June, Nick Cassavetes, the director of “The Notebook” featuring her, shared that she had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.

In 1974, Glynis Johns’ portrayal of Mabel Longhetti in the drama “A Woman Under the Influence,” a role specifically written and directed by her spouse John Cassavetes, earned her her first Academy Award nomination. The second nomination came for “Gloria” (1980), another film directed by Cassavetes. In November 2015, she was honored with an honorary Academy Award at the yearly Governors Awards, a recognition given for her illustrious career.

“I’ve been working for quite a while now, and I never imagined I’d reach this age,” I confessed to EbMaster before the event, echoing the hearty, distinctive laugh that resonated in ‘A Woman Under the Influence’ as well as ‘Faces’, ‘Opening Night’, and other productions directed by Cassavetes.

Following her husband’s passing in 1989, Rowlands persisted with her acting career, particularly focusing on projects for her children who followed in the profession as directors. She appeared in Nick’s directorial debut, “Unhook the Stars” (1996), his successful film “The Notebook” (2004) and his 2012 production “Yellow,” alongside a role in Zoe’s “Broken English” (2007). Additionally, she played a leading part in Terence Davies’ 1995 drama “The Neon Bible,” which was set in 1940’s Georgia.

At the start of her acting journey, she seamlessly moved from a youthful Broadway actress to a distinguished matriarch. In an early interview, and later in her speech at the Governors Awards, she expressed that many women, when they can no longer perform young romantic roles, often shy away from character parts and retire prematurely. However, she simply read the scripts and found roles she was passionate about, never worrying about age or role type.

In a 1975 critique for The Boston Phoenix, film critic Janet Maslin expressed that there is no other actress with the ability to navigate Mabel’s moods as deftly as Rowlands does, describing her performance as extraordinary. Furthermore, she stated that Rowland’s breakdown scene was incredibly realistic and authentic, perhaps even more so than anything either she or Cassavetes had previously achieved.

Gena Rowlands, ‘The Notebook’ and ‘A Woman Under the Influence’ Star, Dies at 94

In 2014, Rowland’s final film credits were earned through two productions: “Parts Per Billion,” a humorous sci-fi movie featuring Frank Langella, and a cinematic rendition of the stage play “Dancing for Six Weeks” starring Joshua Jackson.

At the unforgettable hand-and-footprint ceremony of Rowlands at the Chinese Theatre in December 2014, I penned about the actress, “There’s no one more famously recognized for dissecting the dread of mental collapse.” (As a movie enthusiast)

In 1958, Rowlands first appeared on screen opposite Jose Ferrer in the charming romantic comedy “The High Cost of Loving.” Later, she acted alongside Kirk Douglas in the drama “Lonely Are the Brave” (1962). However, it was in “A Child Is Waiting” (1963), directed by Cassavetes, where Rowlands began to delve into the complex, neurotic aspects of characters that would define her future roles. In this film, she portrayed a troubled mother of a mentally handicapped son.

Rowlands primarily collaborated with Cassavetes on ten films, such as “Faces” (1968), “Minnie and Moskowitz” (1971), “Opening Night” (1977) and “Love Streams” (1984). However, she also worked with other well-known directors like Paul Mazursky (“Tempest”), Paul Schrader (“Light of Day”) and Woody Allen (“Another Woman”). Yet, it was her work alongside Cassavetes that shaped the landscape of American independent cinema in the ’70s and ’80s.

According to reports, Cassavetes pushed for outstanding performances from Rowlands, who seemed hesitant about taking on the role as a leading star. Despite this, the director didn’t lower his expectations, not even when his wife, portraying a prostitute in “Faces,” was pregnant with their second child during filming.

Similar to her spouse, Rowlands also worked in conventional movies to fund his own films. This led him to appear in productions such as “Two Minute Warning” and earlier, in the 1968 film “Machine Gun McCain,” which was made in Italy alongside Cassavetes and Peter Falk.

Additionally, Rowlands had an illustrious career on television, earning eight Emmy Award nominations and securing three wins. She was recognized with her first award in 1987 for her lead role in ABC’s “The Betty Ford Story.” In 1992, she won again for her lead performance in CBS’s “Face of a Stranger.” Her third Emmy came in 2003 when she was honored for her supporting role in HBO’s “Hysterical Blindness.”

In 2004, Rowlands received a Daytime Emmy for her role as the lead character in Showtime’s “The Incredible Mrs. Ritchie.” She portrayed the estranged daughter of one of her screen idols, Bette Davis, in the 1979 CBS movie “Strangers: The Story of a Mother and Daughter.” Additionally, she starred as a mother whose son is diagnosed with AIDS in the 1985 NBC movie “An Early Frost,” which is considered the first significant film drama about the HIV/AIDS crisis.

Gena Rowlands, ‘The Notebook’ and ‘A Woman Under the Influence’ Star, Dies at 94

Virginia Cathryn Rowlands hails from Madison, Wisconsin. After completing her education at the University of Wisconsin, she moved to New York City to pursue drama studies at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. She tied the knot with fellow actor John Cassavetes, whom she had impressed in a performance and later met in 1954, just a few months afterward.

In the 1950s, I made my television debut on “Top Secret” in 1954, and I was a frequent guest on series like “Studio One in Hollywood” and “The United States Steel Hour.”

In 1952, Rowlands first appeared on Broadway in “The Seven Year Itch,” while in 1956, she shared the stage with Edward G. Robinson for a performance in Paddy Chayefsky’s play, “Middle of the Night.”

Rowlands featured and co-starred alongside Ben Gazzara, a frequent collaborator from the Cassavetes era, in the short film “Quartier Latin,” which was part of the 2006 anthology movie “Paris, I Love You.” More recently, she has appeared on television, with roles on “Monk” in 2009 (earning an Emmy nomination) and “NCIS” in 2010.

Rowlands is mourned by her kids, Nick, Zoe, and Xan, as well as several grandkids, and her spouse, Robert Forrest. They tied the knot in 2012.

2024-08-15 04:17

Gena Rowlands, ‘The Notebook’ and ‘A Woman Under the Influence’ Star, Dies at 94

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