2023 shook Hollywood with several unexpected celebrity deaths. While this year has been merciful so far, it seems the curse is working again. Another star has gone dim in Hollywood, with actress Gena Rowlands passing on at the age of 94.
The actress, known for her work in the hit romantic film ‘The Notebook‘ and ‘Another Woman‘, reportedly breathed her last in her residence in Indian Wells, California. Here’s what happened.
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How Did Gena Rowlands Die?
Gena Rowlands’ family confirmed her death on August 14, but no official cause of death has been revealed as of now. However, some reports indicate that she had been ill since being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease a few years back.
Her son Nick Cassavetes, who also directed ‘The Notebook’, had earlier shared with the press how life sometimes appears to mirror art, referring to the portrayal of Alzheimer’s in the film.
“We spent a lot of time talking about Alzheimer’s and wanting to be realistic about it, and now, for the last five years, she’s had Alzheimer’s. We lived it, she acted it, and now it’s on us,” he said at the time.
In a career that crossed six decades, Rowlands proved to be an iconic presence in the industry. Besides several other accolades, two of the Oscar nominations she received were for her performances in ‘A Woman Under the Influence‘ in 1974 and ‘Gloria‘ in 1980 — both directed by late filmmaker John Cassavetes.
However, Rowlands’s legacy does not stop at the Oscars she has received. Rowlands held four Emmy awards for her work in ‘The Betty Ford Story‘, ‘Face of a Stranger‘, ‘Hysterical Blindness‘, and ‘The Incredible Mrs. Ritchie‘. Then, she took away two Golden Globes, further solidifying her stature as one of the most reputed actresses of her generation.
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Gena Rowlands Has Left A Shining Legacy Behind
Gena Rowlands launched her acting career on the stage, which included originating the role that would later be filled by Marilyn Monroe in the Broadway production of ‘The Seven Year Itch‘.
In 1956, she landed her first leading role in ‘Middle of the Night’. In 2015, after years of unforgettable performances, she retired, closing a remarkable career. She was also the recipient of an honorary Academy Award for her contributions to the art of film.
Rowlands’ legacy will live on, through her work and through the lives of those whom she had influenced — having watched her give life to characters with such grace and authenticity as nobody has ever done.
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