Actor Gena Rowlands, best known for her iconic roles in films like “The Notebook” and “A Woman Under the Influence,” is currently living with Alzheimer’s disease. Rowlands, who received an honorary Academy Award in 2015, played the older version of Allie, a character also portrayed by Rachel McAdams in the 2004 film based on the novel by Nicholas Sparks. According to her son, director Nick Cassavetes, Rowlands finds it particularly challenging because she played a character with dementia. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Rowlands said that it was particularly hard because “I play a woman with dementia, and I play a woman who in her younger years was very… energetic.”
Cassavetes told Entertainment Weekly that his mother had to learn six dance lessons in six weeks for the role in “The Notebook.” Despite the challenges, Rowlands delivered a poignant performance in the film alongside James Garner. The director Nick Cassavetes recalls how his mother, actress Gena Rowlands, impressed everyone with her dedication to the role. Rowlands told Entertainment Weekly that playing a woman with dementia was a unique experience for her as an actress.
On the 20th anniversary of The Notebook, the film’s director revealed that Gena Rowlands has Alzheimer’s disease.
On the 20th anniversary of ‘The Notebook’, the film’s director Nick Cassavetes revealed that Gena Rowlands has Alzheimer’s disease. Gena Rowlands, known for her incredible talent as an actress and often referred to as Lady Rowlands, is living with this condition according to her son, Nick Cassavetes. Rowlands played Allie, the older version of the character played by Rachel McAdams. The character who has Alzheimer’s is a heartbreaking portrayal of dementia in “The Notebook”. In a tribute to her lifetime achievement, Gena Rowlands received an Emmy and even an Oscar in 2015.
Director Nick Cassavetes’ Disclosure
Director Nick Cassavetes’ Disclosure sheds light on the impact of Alzheimer’s and dementia in the film industry. John Cassavetes’ son, Nick Cassavetes, says his mother star Gena Rowlands is living with Alzheimer’s, the same disease she portrayed with such raw emotion in films like “A Woman Under the Influence”. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Nick Cassavetes explained how difficult it was to see his mother Gena Rowlands struggle with Alzheimer’s after years of portraying complex and powerful characters on screen. Gena Rowlands is a two-time Golden Globe winner and received an honorary Oscar in 2015, but her son says that now “it’s on us” to provide care and support for her.
Gena Rowlands made audiences cry with her poignant performances in movies like “The Notebook” and “Six Dance Lessons in Six”, but her real-life battle with Alzheimer’s is even more heartbreaking. In an interview with O Magazine in 2004, Gena Rowlands spoke about the impact of Alzheimer’s on her life, saying that “this last one is the hardest”. Despite her struggles, Gena Rowlands continues to inspire those around her with her strength and resilience. Her son, Nick Cassavetes, told Entertainment Weekly that even in the midst of her illness, Gena Rowlands still shines with the same love and grace that made her a beloved actress.
Cassavetes’ Statement
John Cassavetes once said in an interview that his wife, Gena Rowlands, is the best actress he has ever worked with. This statement came after Rowlands portrayed a character with Alzheimer’s and dementia in the film “The Notebook” opposite James Garner. Cassavetes also praised her performance in “A Woman Under the Influence,” where she played a woman struggling with mental illness. Ryan Gosling, who played an older version of Rowlands’ character in “The Notebook,” said that the emotion in her eyes was like flying out of her eyes.
Gena Rowlands herself told O Magazine in 2004 about her experience working on films with John Cassavetes. She said that working on “I went,” “Six Dance Lessons in Six,” and “This Last One” were some of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of her career. Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, Rowlands explained how Cassavetes pushed her to explore new depths in her acting, allowing her to truly inhabit the characters she played on screen.
Personal Impact on Rowlands
Over the last five years, my mom has been dealing with full dementia, and it has had a personal impact on me. I spend a lot of time talking to her, wanting to be authentic and supportive. I even got my mom to play Older Allie from “The Notebook,” talking about Alzheimer’s and wanting her to feel connected. It’s so crazy how dementia has affected her, but I cherish the time talking about Alzheimer’s with her.
Memorable Moment on Set
Says son Rowlands told O Magazine that she’s had Alzheimer’s and it’s just too hard to recall any specific moments on set from her extensive career. However, one memorable moment on set for Rowlands was working with her husband John Cassavetes on “A Woman Under the Influence”. Another significant moment was portraying a character with dementia in “The Notebook”. Rowlands said she wouldn’t have worked on the film if Nick hadn’t directed the film.
