Gena Rowlands Legacy: Latest Updates on Hollywood Icon's Passing - Entertainment

Hollywood is mourning the loss of a true icon . Gena Rowlands , the legendary actress who brought depth and soul to her roles , has passed away at 94 . Known for her unforgettable performance in " The Notebook , " Rowlands succumbed to complications related to Alzheimer 's disease , marking the end of an era in classic cinema.

 Sources close to the family confirmed to TMZ that Rowlands took her final breath Wednesday afternoon in her Indian Wells , California , home . Surrounded by family , including her husband Robert Forrest and daughter Alexandra " Xan " Cassavetes , the beloved actress peacefully departed , leaving behind a legacy that will continue to inspire.

 Nick Cassavetes , her son and the director of " The Notebook , " was by her side frequently in the days leading up to her passing . It was an emotional time for the family , as they grappled with the heartbreaking reality of losing the matriarch who had played such a significant role in their lives , both on and off the screen.

While the presence of her other daughter , Zoe Cassavetes , at the time of her death remains unclear , the close - knit family shared their grief , bound together by the love and memories they had created with Rowlands over the years.

Gena Rowlands Legacy: Latest Updates on Hollywood Icon's Passing

 The exact cause of death has not been officially disclosed , but Nick Cassavetes had previously opened up about his mother 's battle with Alzheimer 's during the 20th anniversary of " The Notebook . " He revealed that the disease had a profound impact on Rowlands , especially given her role as Allie , a character who also struggles with Alzheimer 's in the film.

 In a poignant reflection , Nick shared how life imitated art in the most tragic of ways . " She acted it , and now she 's lived it , " he said , highlighting the cruel twist of fate that saw his mother embodying the very illness that would later take hold of her own mind.

Gena Rowlands , the intense , elegant dramatic actress who , often in collaboration with her husband , John Cassavetes , starred in a series of introspective independent films , has died . She was 94.

The death was confirmed by the office of Daniel Greenberg , a representative for Ms. Rowlands 's son , the director Nick Cassavetes . No other details were given.

 In June , her family said that she had been living with Alzheimer 's disease for five years.

Ms. Rowlands , who often played intoxicated , deranged , or otherwise on - the - verge characters , was nominated twice for best actress Oscars in performances directed by Mr. Cassavetes . The first was the title role in " A Woman Under the Influence " ( 1974 ) , in which her desperate , insecure character is institutionalized by her blue - collar husband ( Peter Falk ) because he does n't know what else to do . The critic Roger Ebert wrote in The Chicago Sun - Times that Ms. Rowlands was so touchingly vulnerable to every kind of influence around her that we do n't want to tap her because she might fall apart.