Early Life and Education
Virginia Cathryn "Gena" Rowlands was born on June 19, 1930, in Cambria, Wisconsin. Her father, Edwin Myrwyn Rowlands, was a banker and state legislator with Welsh roots, while her mother, Mary Allen (known as Lady Rowlands), pursued a career as an actress. Gena Rowlands had one older brother, David. The family relocated frequently due to her father's work, living in Washington, D.C., Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and later Minneapolis, Minnesota. Gena attended the University of Wisconsin from 1947 to 1950, where she was known for her beauty and was a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. She eventually moved to New York City to study drama at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.
Career Beginnings and Broadway Success
Gena Rowlands made her Broadway debut in 1953 in "The Seven Year Itch" and gained further acclaim in the 1956 play "Middle of the Night". She entered the film industry in 1958 with "The High Cost of Loving" and gained recognition for her role in "Lonely Are the Brave" (1962) alongside Kirk Douglas.
Collaboration with John Cassavetes
Gena Rowlands married actor-director John Cassavetes in 1954, and together, they became one of the most celebrated creative partnerships in film history. Over the years, they collaborated on ten films, including "A Woman Under the Influence" (1974) and "Gloria" (1980), both of which earned Rowlands Academy Award nominations for Best Actress. Their other notable collaborations include "Faces" (1968), "Opening Night" (1977), and "Love Streams" (1984). Gena Rowlands won the Silver Bear for Best Actress for her performance in "Opening Night".
Continued Success in Film and Television
Beyond her work with Cassavetes, Gena Rowlands also shone in other significant roles. She starred in Woody Allen's "Another Woman" (1988) and her son Nick Cassavetes’s film "The Notebook" (2004), where she portrayed a woman suffering from dementia—a role that resonated deeply as Gena Rowlands herself would later face Alzheimer's disease. Her television work was equally celebrated, earning her four Primetime Emmys for "The Betty Ford Story", "Face of a Stranger", "Hysterical Blindness", and "The Incredible Mrs. Ritchie".
Personal Life and Later Years
Gena Rowlands and John Cassavetes had three children: Nick, Alexandra, and Zoe, all of whom followed their parents into the film industry. After John’s death in 1989,Gena Rowlands married retired businessman Robert Forrest in 2012. She retired from acting in 2015, the same year she received an Honorary Academy Award for her lifetime achievements in film.
Health and Passing
In June 2024, Nick Cassavetes revealed that his mother had been living with Alzheimer’s disease for five years. Gena Rowlands passed away on August 14, 2024, at her home in Indian Wells, California, at the age of 94.
Legacy
Gena Rowlands impact on film and television is profound. Her fearless performances, particularly in the independent film genre, have made her an icon in cinema. Her collaborations with John Cassavetes revolutionized American independent film, and her influence continues to inspire filmmakers and actors today.
Gena Rowlands Parents
Gena Rowlands parents played significant roles in shaping her early life. Her father, Edwin Myrwyn Rowlands, was a banker and a state legislator with Welsh ancestry. He was an influential figure, active in the Wisconsin Progressive Party, and held various important positions, including a role at the United States Department of Agriculture and as a branch manager for the Office of Price Administration. Gena’s mother, Mary Allen Rowlands, who later became known by her stage name Lady Rowlands, was initially a housewife but later pursued a career as an actress. The family’s frequent moves due to Edwin’s career exposed Gena Rowlands to different environments, contributing to her adaptability and resilience. Gena Rowlands also had an older brother, David, who shared these experiences with her.
FAQs
1. What is Gena Rowlands real name?
- Gena Rowlands real name is Virginia Cathryn Rowlands.
2. When and where was Gena Rowlands born?
- Gena Rowlands was born on June 19, 1930, in Cambria, Wisconsin, United States.
3. How old was Gena Rowlands when she passed away?
- Gena Rowlands was 94 years old when she passed away on August 14, 2024.
4. Who were Gena Rowlands parents?
- Her father was Edwin Myrwyn Rowlands, a banker and state legislator, and her mother was Mary Allen Rowlands, known by her stage name Lady Rowlands.
5. Did Gena Rowlands have any siblings?
- Yes, Gena Rowlands had an older brother named David Rowlands.
6. Who was Gena Rowlands married to?
- Gena Rowlands was married to John Cassavetes from 1954 until his death in 1989, and later married Robert Forrest in 2012.
7. How many children did Gena Rowlands have?
- Gena Rowlands had three children: Nick Cassavetes, Alexandra Cassavetes, and Zoe Cassavetes.
8. What was Gena Rowlands nationality?
- Gena Rowlands was American.
9. What education did Gena Rowlands receive?
- Gena Rowlands attended the University of Wisconsin before studying drama at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City.
10. What awards and achievements did Gena Rowlands receive?
- Gena Rowlands won four Primetime Emmy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, a Silver Bear for Best Actress, and received an Honorary Academy Award in 2015 for her lifetime achievements in film. She was also nominated for two Academy Awards for her performances in "A Woman Under the Influence" (1974) and "Gloria" (1980).
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