June 25th 2024.
It was recently confirmed by Gena Rowlands' son that the acclaimed actress has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Gena, who is best known for her role as the older version of Allie in the beloved film "The Notebook," is now 93 years old and has been battling the disease for the past five years. Her son, Nick Cassavetes, who also directed the movie, shared this news in a recent interview where he discussed the legacy of the film.
In the interview, Nick mentioned how he convinced his mother to play the role of older Allie and spent a lot of time discussing Alzheimer's in order to accurately portray the character. Now, looking back on the experience, Nick and his family are living the reality of the disease that was once just a part of a movie they made. Despite the difficult journey, Nick expressed his pride in the film and how it still holds up even after 20 years since its release.
In the movie, Gena famously played the present-day version of Allie, while Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling portrayed the younger versions of the characters. As Nick recounted the love story between Allie and Noah from the notebook she wrote, it was revealed that Allie had been suffering from dementia. The movie ends with the two characters passing away in each other's arms, a poignant and heartbreaking scene that was made even more emotional for Gena as she had experienced Alzheimer's with her own mother, who was also an actress.
Aside from her role in "The Notebook," Gena has had a successful career in Hollywood spanning over seven decades. She has appeared in numerous films, including "Another Woman" in 1988 and "Opening Night" in 1977. Gena's performances in "Gloria" and "A Woman Under the Influence" earned her two Oscar nominations for Best Actress, and she was eventually awarded an honorary Academy Award in 2015.
Acting runs in the family for Gena, as she not only worked with her son Nick but also shared the screen with her late husband John Cassavetes in multiple projects before his passing in 1989. Gena's talent has also been recognized with three Emmy awards and two Golden Globes.
It's clear that Gena has had a successful and fulfilling career, and her contributions to the entertainment industry will always be remembered. While it's heartbreaking to hear about her Alzheimer's diagnosis, we can take comfort in knowing that she has left a lasting impact on the world of film and television.
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