Gena Rowlands, renowned for her portrayal of a woman with Alzheimer’s in the film The Notebook, has been diagnosed with the disease herself. This revelation came from her son, Nick Cassavetes, who directed the iconic 2004 romance.
In a touching interview with Entertainment Weekly, Cassavetes shared, I got my mom 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.
At 93, Rowlands finds herself facing the debilitating disease she once depicted so compellingly on-screen.
Rowlands‘ career continues to be remarkable. She starred alongside Cheyenne Jackson in Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks just last year. This last one—The Notebook, based on the novel by Nicholas Sparks—was particularly hard because I play a character who has Alzheimer’s. I went through that with my mother, and if Nick hadn’t directed the film, I don’t think I would have gone for it. It’s just too hard. It was a tough but wonderful movie.
, Rowlands said about her experience filming The Notebook.
Rowland’s impact on cinema has not gone unnoticed. In 2015, she accepted an honorary Academy Award at the Film Academy’s seventh annual Governors Awards, acknowledging her invaluable contributions to the industry. Her acting prowess has marked her as one of Hollywood’s beloved stars.
The director expressed his disbelief at the turn of events, stating, She’s in full dementia. And it’s so crazy—we lived it, she acted it, and now it’s on us.
Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease
The National Institute on Aging explains that Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia. It results from age-related changes in the brain combined with genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. While there’s no definitive cause identified yet, it’s known to afflict millions globally.
The Mayo Clinic reports that around 6.5 million Americans aged 65 and older have Alzheimer’s today. A significant portion of these individuals are 75 years old and above.
Navigating Life with Alzheimer’s
For Nick Cassavetes and his family, navigating life with Gena’s condition is deeply personal yet universally resonant. This juncture highlights how art and real life can converge in unexpected and poignant ways. Reflecting on the lasting impact of The Notebook, Cassavetes remarked to EW that the movie holds up pretty good
even after two decades since its release.
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