In late June, her son Nick Cassavetes announced that Rowlands was suffering from Alzheimer's disease, the same disease as her character Allie in the famous film "The Notebook" from 2004.
The role was especially difficult for Rowlands since her own mother had suffered from the disease.
I went through it with my mom, and if Nick hadn't directed, I don't think I would have done it – it's just too hard. It was a tough but wonderful film, she said then.
Gena Rowlands' long career took off in the 1950s, she has participated in dozens of films and won four Emmys and two Golden Globes. She has also been nominated for two Oscars for her expressive portrayals of strong but troubled women in the films "A Woman Under the Influence" (1974) and "Gloria" (1980). She collaborated with her then-husband, director and actor John Cassavetes, on several films.
She retired from Hollywood and her acting career in 2015.
Gena Rowlands died at her home in California, USA, on Wednesday afternoon local time. She was surrounded by her family, reports Deadline. No cause of death was given.
