The acting world is mourning the loss of The Notebook star Gena Rowlands, who has passed away at the age of 94. Surrounded by her loved ones, the acclaimed Hollywood actress died on Wednesday. Her son, director Nick Cassavetes, disclosed in June that Gena had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, which she fought for five years before it progressed to full-blown dementia.
The condition eerily echoed the plight of her famous character, the elderly Allie, in the much-loved romantic drama 'The Notebook'. According to TMZ, Nick was among the family members at her Indian Wells, California home when she passed.
Film Updates paid tribute to Gena on their X account, formerly known as Twitter, posting a throwback photo of the star with the caption: "Gena Rowlands has sadly passed away at the age of 94."
Fans have been flooding the X platform with messages of condolence following the announcement, reports the Mirror US.
"She was a one in a lifetime artist, your favourite actor's favourite actor! rip Gena, you'll be missed," wrote one user. Another shared, "I have been her fan since the day i watched Notebook... RIP." A third commented, "A Woman Under the Influence remains a testament to her extraordinary talent and dedication to her craft. RIP".
Someone else noted: "This hurts lot [sic]...Rest in peace," an eighth commenter wrote." Meanwhile, one other person wrote on X, "Watching the notebook tonight," one fan wrote."
Although Rowlands had leading roles in other notable films, such as Gloria and Hope Floats, younger generations know her most from her role as the mature Allie in the Notebook. Actress Rachel McAdams depicted the character when she was in her youth.
The same month that Nick dropped the shocking details about his mother's declining health, The Notebook celebrated its 20th anniversary.
"I got my mum to play older Allie, and we spent a lot of time talking about Alzheimer's and wanting to be authentic with it, and now, for the last five years, she's had Alzheimer's," he told Entertainment Tonight in June. "She's in full dementia. And it's so crazy – we lived it, she acted it, and now it's on us."