Gena Rowlands: A legacy of fearless performances and enduring influence
Gena Rowlands, an actress whose groundbreaking and fearless performances in films like A Woman Under the Influence left an indelible mark on cinema, passed away at her home in Indian Wells, California, at the age of 94. Her passing was confirmed by her son’s agent, and it was known that she had been battling Alzheimer’s disease.
A career defined by iconic roles
Rowlands’ portrayal of Mabel Longhetti in the 1974 drama A Woman Under the Influence, directed by her husband John Cassavetes, earned her the first of two Academy Award nominations. The other nomination came for her role in Gloria (1980), also directed by Cassavetes. In 2015, she received an honorary Academy Award, recognizing her extensive and influential career.
Reflecting on her long career, Rowlands once remarked, ”Working this long? I didn’t even think I’d be living this long,” with the throaty laugh that fans would recognize from her many roles, including Faces, Opening Night, and other Cassavetes-directed dramas.
Continuing the craft with family
After John Cassavetes’ death in 1989, Rowlands continued to act, often collaborating with her children, who followed in their parents’ footsteps as actor-directors. She appeared in her son Nick Cassavetes’ directorial debut Unhook the Stars (1996), the popular film The Notebook (2004), and his 2012 film Yellow. She also starred in her daughter Zoe’s Broken English (2007) and led Terence Davies’ coming-of-age drama The Neon Bible (1995).
From Broadway to the big screen
Rowlands began her career on Broadway, transitioning effortlessly from ingenue to grande dame. She made her film debut in 1958 in The High Cost of Loving and played significant roles in films like Lonely Are the Brave (1962) and A Child Is Waiting (1963), directed by Cassavetes. Her work with Cassavetes, including Faces (1968), Minnie and Moskowitz (1971), Opening Night (1977), and Love Streams (1984), defined American independent cinema in the ’70s and ’80s.
A reluctant star with a powerful presence
Despite her reluctance to embrace stardom, Rowlands delivered powerful performances. Cassavetes often had to coax these performances out of her, even during challenging times, such as when she was pregnant with their second child while filming Faces. Rowlands also took roles in mainstream films to help finance Cassavetes’ projects, appearing in movies like Two Minute Warning and Machine Gun McCain.
A successful television career
Rowlands enjoyed a successful television career, earning eight Emmy nominations and winning three. She won for her roles in The Betty Ford Story (1987), Face of a Stranger (1992), and Hysterical Blindness (2003). She also won a Daytime Emmy in 2004 for The Incredible Mrs. Ritchie and starred in significant TV movies like Strangers: The Story of a Mother and Daughter (1979) and An Early Frost (1985), the latter being one of the first major films about the HIV/AIDS crisis.
A life dedicated to the arts
Born Virginia Cathryn Rowlands in Madison, Wisconsin, she attended the University of Wisconsin before moving to New York to study drama at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. She married John Cassavetes in 1954, shortly after meeting him. Rowlands worked in television during the 1950s, appearing in shows like Top Secret, Studio One in Hollywood, and The United States Steel Hour. She made her Broadway debut in The Seven Year Itch (1952) and starred opposite Edward G. Robinson in Middle of the Night (1956).
In her later years, Rowlands continued to work in television, guest-starring on shows like Monk (2009) and NCIS (2010). She also scripted and starred with Ben Gazzara in Quartier Latin, a short included in the 2006 film Paris, je t’aime.
Rowlands is survived by her children Nick, Zoe, and Alexandra (Xan), several grandchildren, and her second husband, Robert Forrest, whom she married in 2012.
Celebrating a cinematic icon
Gena Rowlands’ legacy is one of fearless performances and a profound influence on cinema. Her work continues to inspire actors and filmmakers, and her contributions to both film and television remain unparalleled. For those who wish to explore her remarkable career, here are some links to trailers and information pages for her most notable works:
Gena Rowlands’ contributions to the arts will be remembered and celebrated for generations to come.