Gena Rowlands was an actress known for roles in such films as “A Woman Under the Influence” (1974) and “Gloria” (1980), both of which earned her Academy Award nominations for Best Actress.
- Died: August 14, 2024 (Who else died on August 14?)
- Details of death: Died at her home in Indian Wells, California of complications from dementia at the age of 94.
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Gena Rowlands’ legacy
The wife of actor and director John Cassavetes (1929–1989) for 35 years, Rowlands starred in 10 of his films, including her two Oscar-nominated performances. She was considered Cassavetes’ muse as the pair worked together both as director and star and as costars in films directed by others. Rowlands’ other films for Cassavetes include “A Child Is Waiting” (1963), “Minnie and Moskovitz” (1971), “Opening Night” (1977), and “Tempest” (1982). Rowlands was recognized with an Honorary Academy Award in 2015 for her career achievements.
Though Rowlands is best known for her collaborations with Cassavetes, her career extended well beyond the confines of their partnership. Her film debut was 1958’s “The High Cost of Loving,” and other films include “Tony Rome” (1967), “Light of Day” (1987), “Hope Floats” (1998), and “The Notebook” (2004), directed by her son, Nick Cassavetes. On television, Rowlands won Emmy Awards for her roles in “The Betty Ford Story” (1987), “Face of a Stranger” (1991), “Hysterical Blindness” (2003), and “The Incredible Mrs. Ritchie” (2004). Also a stage actress, Rowlands’ Broadway credits include “The Seven Year Itch.”
Rowlands on her favorite actress
“I loved Bette Davis when I was little and when I was big and when I got old. …She had very strong opinions and was not afraid to express them. She wasn’t afraid of anything that I ever saw. And she was so funny. She’s just funny and she was laughing all the time.” —from a 2016 interview with Interview magazine
Tributes to Gena Rowlands
Full obituary: Los Angeles Times
