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Virginia Cathryn Rowlands popularly known as Gena Rowlands was an American actress, whose career in film, theater, and television lasted nearly seven decades. The star of “The Notebook” passed away on Wednesday at her home in Indian Wells, California, at the age of 94. In this article, we will explore Gena Rowlands husband and family.
Meet Gena Rowlands husband over the years
The American actress Gena Rowlands was married twice. Her first marriage was to the American actor and filmmaker John Cassavetes.
1. John Cassavetes (m. 1954–1989)
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The popular names in American film industry, Gena Rowlands and John Cassavetes first met as students at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in 1954.
Gena Rowlands husband, John Cassavetes was a Greek-American actor and filmmaker known for his TV and films like The Dirty Dozen and Rosemary’s Baby. As a director, his notable films include Shadows and A Woman Under the Influence. Cassavetes often worked with his wife, actress Gena Rowlands.
John Cassavetes and Gena Rowlands collaborated on several films, including Faces (1968), Husbands (1970), A Woman Under the Influence (1974), Opening Night (1977), and Love Streams (1984).
The couple got married on March 9, 1954 until his death on February 3, 1989.
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Gena Rowlands and John Cassavetes Children
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Gena Rowlands and John Cassavetes had three children, all of whom are involved in acting and filmmaking: Nick, Alexandra, and Zoe Cassavetes.
Nick Cassavetes:
Gena and John first born son, Nick Cassavetes is an actor, director, and screenwriter.
Nick appeared in various popular movies like Husbands (1970), directed by his father, John Cassavetes, and also had roles in the films The Wraith (1986), Face/Off (1997), and Blow (2001). Some of his popular movies as a director include The Notebook (2004), John Q (2002), and Alpha Dog (2006).
Alexandra Cassavetes:
The couple’s first daughter popularly known as “Xan,” Alexandra is a filmmaker and actress. She directed the documentary Z Channel: A Magnificent Obsession (2004) and the horror film Kiss of the Damned (2012).
Zoe Cassavetes:
The Rowlands and Cassavetes youngest daughter Zoe is a director, writer, and actress. She is known for directing the film Broken English (2007) and the series Junior (2016).
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2. Robert Forrest (m. 2012–2024)
Gena Rowlands married Robert Forrest, a retired businessman, in 2012. Their marriage came later in Rowlands’ life, after the passing of her first husband, John Cassavetes, in 1989. Rowlands and Forrest enjoyed a private life together, away from the public eye, until her passing in 2024.
Gena Rowlands don’t have any children with Robert Forrest
Until Gena Rowlands passed away in 2024, she and Robert did not have any children together.
Know about, Gena Rowlands Grandchildren
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Gena Rowlands has five grandchildren. From her son Nick Cassavetes and his partner Isabelle Rafalovich, she has three grandchildren: Sasha Cassavetes, Virginia Cassavetes, and Barbarella Cassavetes. Nick also has a daughter, Barbarella, with his partner Heather Wahlquist.
Additionally, Gena has two grandchildren from her daughter Alexandra Cassavetes: Veronica Ross and John Ross. Alexandra married Rick Ross in 1995, but they divorced in 2005.
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Quick Information on American Actress, Gena Rowlands
| Full Name | Virginia Cathryn Rowlands | |
| Born | June 19, 1930, Madison, Wisconsin, U.S. | |
| Died | August 14, 2024, Indian Wells, California | |
| Education | American Academy of Dramatic Arts | |
| Occupation | Actress | |
| Years Active | 1949–2014 | |
| Spouses | John Cassavetes (m. 1954; died 1989) Robert Forrest (m. 2012) | |
| Children | Nick, Alexandra, Zoe Cassavetes | |
| Awards | 4 Emmys, 2 Golden Globes, 1 Silver Bear | |
| Notable Films | A Woman Under the Influence, Gloria, The Notebook | |
| Late Career | The Notebook (2004), Broken English (2007) | |
| Death | Died from Alzheimer’s disease at age 94 | |
Recent News: Gena Rowlands, known for her role in The Notebook, has passed away at the age of 94.
American actress Gena Rowlands, known for roles in The Notebook and Another Woman, has died at the age of 94.
Rowlands, who was nominated for an Oscar for A Woman under the Influence (1974) and Gloria (1980), passed away at her home in Indian Wells, California.
The cause of death was not specified, but she had been suffering from Alzheimer’s, according to reports. She retired from acting in 2015 after winning four Emmys, two Golden Globes, and receiving two Oscar nominations.
The Notebook was directed by her son Nick Cassavetes in 2004. He recently discussed with Entertainment Weekly how his mother portrayed a character with dementia in the film.
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FAQs on Gena Rowlands Family:
1. Who was Gena Rowlands husband?
Gena Rowlands was married to John Cassavetes from 1954 until his death in 1989, and to Robert Forrest from 2012 until her death.
2. Did Gena Rowlands have children?
Yes, she had three children with John Cassavetes: Nick, Alexandra, and Zoe Cassavetes.
3. Who directed The Notebook?
The Notebook was directed by her son, Nick Cassavetes.
4. Does Gena Rowlands have grandchildren?
Yes, she has five grandchildren: Sasha, Virginia, and Barbarella Cassavetes from Nick; Veronica Ross and John Ross from Alexandra.
5. What awards did Gena Rowlands win?
She won four Emmys, two Golden Globes, and a Silver Bear.
6. What are some of her famous films?
Notable films include A Woman Under the Influence, Gloria, and The Notebook.
7. What caused Gena Rowlands’ death?
She died from complications of Alzheimer’s disease at 94.
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Manoj Ghimire is a skillful content writer with more than two years of experience in this field, who can cover the celebrity news and lifestyle.
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