Rowlands’ official cause of death has not been disclosed. However, Cassavetes had previously shared that his mother had been living with Alzheimer’s disease for the past five years.
This revelation came during an interview marking the 20th anniversary of “The Notebook,” where Cassavetes discussed the authenticity they sought in portraying Allie’s battle with dementia in the film. “It’s so surreal,” he said, “We talked about it, she acted it, and now it’s something we’ve lived through.”
Throughout her illustrious career, Gena Rowlands earned four Emmy Awards and was nominated twice for the Academy Award for Best Actress for her roles in “A Woman Under the Influence” and “Gloria.” She also won two Golden Globe Awards, adding to her legacy as one of Hollywood’s most talented and respected actresses.