American actress (1930–2024)
Virginia Cathryn "Gena "Rowlands (/ˈ dʒ ɛ n ə [ 1] Emmy Award and two-timeGolden Globe winner, and she was twice nominated for theAcademy Award for Best Actress .
She rose to prominence for her collaborations with her actor-director husbandJohn Cassavetes in ten films, includingA Woman Under the Influence Gloria Silver Bear for Best Actress forOpening Night William Friedkin 'sThe Brink's Job Woody Allen 'sAnother Woman Jim Jarmusch 'sNight on Earth Mira Nair 'sHysterical Blindness Nick Cassavetes 'sThe Notebook
In 2021,Richard Brody ofThe New Yorker [ 2] Honorary Academy Award in recognition of her unique screen performances.[ 3]
Rowlands was born on June 19, 1930, inMadison, Wisconsin .[ 4] [ 5] née Neal), was a housewife who later worked as an actress under the stage nameLady Rowlands .[ 6] Edwin Myrwyn Rowlands , was a banker and state legislator.[ 7] Wisconsin Progressive Party , and was of Welsh descent.[ 8] [ 9] [ 10]
Her family moved to Washington, D.C., in 1939, when Edwin was appointed to a position in theUnited States Department of Agriculture ; moved toMilwaukee, Wisconsin , in 1942, when he was appointed branch manager of theOffice of Price Administration ;[ 11] Minneapolis , Minnesota. From 1947 to 1950, she attended theUniversity of Wisconsin ,[ 12] [ 13] Kappa Kappa Gamma .[ 14] American Academy of Dramatic Arts .[ 15]
[ edit ] Publicity photo, 1955 In the early 1950s, Rowlands performed withrepertory theatre companies and at theProvincetown Playhouse . She made herBroadway debut inThe Seven Year Itch [ 16] Middle of the Night oppositeEdward G. Robinson .[ 17]
Rowlands onLaramie Rowlands costarred withPaul Stewart in the 26-episode syndicated TV seriesTop Secret (1954–55). She guest-starred on such anthology television series asRobert Montgomery Presents Armstrong Circle Theatre Studio One Appointment with Adventure The United States Steel Hour Goodyear Television Playhouse Laramie John Cassavetes in the detective seriesJohnny Staccato Western seriesRiverboat Darren McGavin . In 1961, she appeared in the adventure seriesThe Islanders Target: The Corruptors! Stephen McNally . She guest-starred inThe Lloyd Bridges Show 77 Sunset Strip Kraft Suspense Theatre Bonanza The Virginian Breaking Point medical drama Dr. Kildare Burke's Law Alfred Hitchcock Presents The Alfred Hitchcock Hour . In 1967, she was cast as socialite Adrienne Van Leyden in the prime-time ABC soap operaPeyton Place [citation needed
Rowlands with husbandJohn Cassavetes in TV seriesJohnny Staccato Rowlands made her film debut inThe High Cost of Loving David Miller 'sLonely Are the Brave Kirk Douglas andWalter Matthau . She played the former lover of the Kirk Douglas character, now the wife of the Douglas character's best friend.[citation needed
[ edit ] Rowlands and Cassavetes made ten films together:A Child Is Waiting Faces Machine Gun McCain Minnie and Moskowitz A Woman Under the Influence Academy Award for Best Actress ),Two-Minute Warning Opening Night Gloria Academy Award for Best Actress ),Tempest Love Streams [ 18]
According toBoston University film scholarRay Carney , Rowlands sought to suppress an early version of Cassavetes's first film,Shadows [ 19] Husbands Love Streams UCLA Film and Television Archive mounted a restoration ofHusbands , as it was pruned down (without Cassavetes's consent, and in violation of his contract) byColumbia Pictures several months after its release, in an attempt to restore as much of the removed content as possible. At Rowlands's request,UCLA created an alternative print with almost ten minutes of content edited out, as Rowlands felt that these scenes were in poor taste. The alternative print is the only one that has been made available for rental.[ 20]
[ edit ] In 1985, Rowlands played the mother in the critically acclaimed made-for-TV movieAn Early Frost [ 21] First Lady of the United States Betty Ford in the 1987 made-for-TV movieThe Betty Ford Story [ 22]
In 1988, Rowlands starred inWoody Allen 's dramatic filmAnother Woman Mia Farrow ). The review inTime Out Sandy Dennis ), brother (Harris Yulin ) and husband (Ian Holm )."Time Out praised the "marvellous" performances in the film, adding, "Rowlands' perfectly pitched approach to a demanding role is particularly stunning."[ 23] Film4 called her performance "sublime",[ 24] Roger Ebert noted that it marked a considerable change in tone from her work with Cassavetes, thus showing "how good an actress Rowlands has been all along."[ 25]
In 1995, Rowlands appeared asJulia Roberts 's mother in the comedy-drama filmSomething to Talk About [ 26] Sandra Bullock 's mother in the dramatic filmHope Floats [ 27] Mira Nair 'sHBO movieHysterical Blindness
In 2004, she starred as the older version ofRachel McAdams 's character in the romantic drama filmThe Notebook James Garner as her husband, which was directed by her sonNick Cassavetes .[ 28] Daytime Emmy for her role as Mrs. Evelyn Ritchie in the made-for-TV movieThe Incredible Mrs. Ritchie .[ 29]
Rowlands at the2006 Cannes Film Festival In 2005, she appeared oppositeKate Hudson ,Peter Sarsgaard , andJohn Hurt in thegothic thrillerThe Skeleton Key [ 30] third season ofNumb3rs Nazis confiscated. Later on the painting reappeared. The new owner lent the painting to an art gallery in Los Angeles but while on display it was stolen.FBI agent Don Eppes, played byRob Morrow , tries to figure out what really happened. Rowlands received positive reviews for this role. She has been a spokesperson for people who were persecuted by the Nazis.[citation needed
In 2007, she played a supporting role oppositeParker Posey andMelvil Poupaud inBroken English Zoe Cassavetes . In 2009, she appeared on an episode ofMonk NCIS Leroy Jethro Gibbs 's former mother-in-law, who is embroiled in a murder investigation.[ 31] Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks [ 32] [ 33]
Rowlands was married toJohn Cassavetes from March 9, 1954,[ 34] [ 35] American Academy atCarnegie Hall , where they were both students. They had three children, all actor-directors:Nick ,Alexandra , andZoe .
Rowlands married retired businessman Robert Forrest in 2012.[ 36]
Rowlands stated that she was a fan of actressBette Davis while growing up. She played Davis's daughter in the 1979 made-for-TV filmStrangers [ 37]
On June 24, 2024, Nick Cassavetes announced that his mother had been living withAlzheimer's disease for the previous five years.[ 38] Indian Wells, California , on August 14, 2024, at the age of 94.[ 39]
Awards and nominations [ edit ] ^ "Say How: R" . National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled.Archived from the original on September 25, 2019. RetrievedOctober 12, 2023 .^ Brody, Richard (March 6, 2021)."The Best Movie Performances of the Century So Far" .The New Yorker .Archived from the original on March 6, 2021. RetrievedMarch 8, 2021 . ^ Gray, Tim (August 27, 2015)."Gena Rowlands, Spike Lee, Debbie Reynolds to Receive Governors Awards Oscars" .Variety .Archived from the original on January 19, 2018. RetrievedDecember 10, 2017 . ^ "Gena Rowlands, Actress Who Brought Raw Drama to Her Roles, Dies at 94" .The New York Times Archived from the original on August 15, 2024. RetrievedAugust 15, 2024 .^ "Gena Rowlands, Acting Legend and Notebook Star, Dies at 94" .Vanity Fair Archived from the original on August 15, 2024. RetrievedAugust 15, 2024 .^ U.S. Census, April 1, 1930, state of Wisconsin, county of Columbia, village of Cambria, enumeration district 3, page 4-B, family 130 ^ Assembly, 1927–1935; Senate, 1935–1939.Members of the Wisconsin Legislature 1848–1999 , Informational Bulletin 99-1, Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau, 1999. ^ Lane, Lydia (November 21, 1980)."Beauty" .Los Angeles Times .ProQuest 162996377 .Archived from the original on August 13, 2017. RetrievedJuly 6, 2017 . ^ Murphy, J. J. (April 16, 2019).Rewriting Indie Cinema: Improvisation, Psychodrama, and the Screenplay ISBN 978-0-231-54959-2 ^ Charity, Tom (June 26, 2012).John Cassavetes: Lifeworks ISBN 978-0-85712-841-6 ^ "OPA Directed by Merwyn [sic The Sheboygan Press , Sheboygan, Wisconsin, April 2, 1942, p. 4 ^ Registrar's Office, University of Wisconsin–Madison. ^ "Six U.W. Co-eds 'Badger Beauties'",The Sheboygan Press , Sheboygan, Wisconsin, November 14, 1949, p. 2 ^ University of Wisconsin Badger , 1950^ Gilpatrick, Kristin (2002).Famous Wisconsin Film Stars ISBN 978-1-878569-86-8 ^ Kennedy, Mark (August 15, 2024)."The Notebook Star Gena Rowlands Dies at 94" .Irish Examiner .Archived from the original on August 16, 2024. RetrievedAugust 15, 2024 . ^ Rochlin, Margy (November 3, 1996)."Now It's a Son Letting Gena Rowlands Shine" .The New York Times .Archived from the original on August 15, 2024. RetrievedAugust 15, 2024 . ^ "Gena Rowlands, a Miraculous Actress" .YouTube .Archived from the original on July 24, 2020.^ Carney, Ray."Who Owns an Improvised Work?" .The John Cassavetes Pages .Archived from the original on October 12, 2017. RetrievedDecember 17, 2006 . ^ Carney, Ray."On Your Relationship with Criterion" .The John Cassavetes Pages .Archived from the original on August 12, 2017. RetrievedDecember 17, 2006 . ^ O'Connor, John J. (November 11, 1985)."NBC Offers a Drama on AIDS" .The New York Times .ISSN 0362-4331 .Archived from the original on November 23, 2017. RetrievedAugust 15, 2024 . ^ "NBC Is Big Winner at Emmys" .The New York Times . September 22, 1987.Archived from the original on November 1, 2017. RetrievedAugust 15, 2024 .^ "Another Woman" .Time Out .Archived from the original on August 13, 2017. RetrievedApril 1, 2013 .^ "Another Woman" . Film4.Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. RetrievedApril 1, 2013 .^ Ebert, Roger (November 18, 1988)."Another Woman" .Chicago Sun-Times .Archived from the original on October 20, 2018. RetrievedApril 1, 2013 . ^ Hinson, Hal (August 4, 1995)." .The Washington Post . RetrievedAugust 10, 2024 . ^ Berardinelli, James (1998)."Review: Hope Floats" .ReelViews . Archived fromthe original on February 5, 2007.^ Koehler, Robert (May 20, 2004)."The Notebook" .Variety . RetrievedJuly 30, 2024 . ^ Gates, Anita (August 15, 2024)."Gena Rowlands, Actress Who Brought Raw Drama to Her Roles, Dies at 94" .The New York Times .Archived from the original on August 15, 2024. RetrievedAugust 15, 2024 . ^ Softley, Iain (September 1, 2005)."The Skeleton Key" .Apple TV . RetrievedAugust 29, 2024 . ^ Ausiello, Michael (January 16, 2010)." .EW . The Meredith Corporation.Archived from the original on October 13, 2019. RetrievedOctober 13, 2019 . ^ Chang, Justin (December 16, 2014)."Film Review: 'Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks' .Variety .Archived from the original on November 28, 2017. RetrievedSeptember 29, 2016 . ^ "Gena Rowlands on Pioneering the Indie Film Movement with Late Husband John Cassavetes" .The Hollywood Reporter Archived from the original on January 13, 2023. RetrievedJanuary 13, 2023 .^ Pierce, Duke Daniel (December 10, 2022)."John Cassavetes: Hollywood Rebel" .The Academy Pages .Archived from the original on August 15, 2024. RetrievedAugust 15, 2024 . ^ "Marriage of Rowlands / Cassavetes" .Wisconsin State Journal . February 9, 1954. p. 13.Archived from the original on August 16, 2024. RetrievedAugust 15, 2024 .^ Pulver, Andrew (August 15, 2024)."Gena Rowlands, Star ofA Woman Under the Influence andGloria , Dies at 94" .The Guardian .ISSN 0261-3077 .Archived from the original on August 16, 2024. RetrievedAugust 15, 2024 . ^ "The Hollywood Reporter Interview with Gena Rowlands" . March 29, 2015.Archived from the original on August 13, 2017. RetrievedMarch 29, 2015 .^ Huff, Lauren (June 25, 2024)." .EW.com .Archived from the original on June 25, 2024. RetrievedJune 25, 2024 . ^ Schultz, Rick (August 14, 2024)."Gena Rowlands,The Notebook andA Woman Under the Influence Star, Dies at 94" .Variety .Archived from the original on August 16, 2024. RetrievedAugust 14, 2024 . ^ "The 47th Academy Awards (1975) Nominees and Winners" .Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences .Archived from the original on September 1, 2019. RetrievedOctober 2, 2011 .^ "The 53rd Academy Awards (1981) Nominees and Winners" .Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences .Archived from the original on November 10, 2014. RetrievedNovember 14, 2015 .^ "Spike Lee, Debbie Reynolds And Gena Rowlands To Receive Academy's 2015 Governors Awards" .Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences .Archived from the original on August 31, 2015. RetrievedNovember 5, 2015 .^ "Gena Rowlands" .Academy of Television Arts & Sciences . RetrievedNovember 5, 2024 .^ "Gena Rowlands" .Golden Globe Awards . RetrievedNovember 5, 2024 .^ "The 5th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards" .Screen Actors Guild Awards . RetrievedNovember 5, 2024 .^ "The 14th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards" .Screen Actors Guild Awards . RetrievedNovember 5, 2024 .^ "1974 Award Winners" .National Board of Review . RetrievedNovember 5, 2024 .^ "KCFCC Award Winners – 1970-79" .Kansas City Film Critics Circle . RetrievedNovember 5, 2024 .^ "BSFC Winners: 1980s" .Boston Society of Film Critics . RetrievedNovember 5, 2024 .^ "Past Muse Award Honorees" .New York Women in Film & Television . RetrievedNovember 5, 2024 .^ "1996 Award Winners" .National Board of Review . RetrievedNovember 5, 2024 .^ "International Press Academy website – 2001 5th Annual SATELLITE Awards" .International Press Academy . Archived fromthe original on February 1, 2008.^ "7th Annual TV Awards (2002-03)" . Online Film & Television Association. RetrievedNovember 5, 2024 .^ "Archive: Honorees" .Hamptons International Film Festival . RetrievedNovember 5, 2024 .^ "Nominees & Winners – Satellite™ Awards 2005 (9th Annual Satellite™ Awards)" .International Press Academy . Archived fromthe original on February 2, 2008. RetrievedApril 7, 2019 .^ "Mary Pickford Award" .International Press Academy . RetrievedNovember 5, 2024 .^ "The 2006 Saturn Awards Nominations – The Movie Blog" .www.themovieblog.com .Archived from the original on March 18, 2017. RetrievedDecember 17, 2018 .^ "LAFCA Lifetime Achievement Award" .Los Angeles Film Critics Association . March 29, 2015. Archived fromthe original on December 30, 2014. RetrievedMarch 29, 2015 .^ "Film Hall of Fame: Actors" . Online Film & Television Association. RetrievedNovember 5, 2024 .
Awards for Gena Rowlands
1928–1975 Warner Bros. /Charlie Chaplin (1928)Walt Disney (1932)Shirley Temple (1934)D. W. Griffith (1935)The March of Time W. Howard Greene andHarold Rosson (1936)Edgar Bergen /W. Howard Greene /Museum of Modern Art Film Library /Mack Sennett (1937)J. Arthur Ball /Walt Disney /Deanna Durbin andMickey Rooney /Gordon Jennings ,Jan Domela , Devereaux Jennings, Irmin Roberts, Art Smith,Farciot Edouart ,Loyal Griggs ,Loren L. Ryder , Harry D. Mills,Louis Mesenkop , Walter Oberst /Oliver T. Marsh and Allen Davey /Harry Warner (1938)Douglas Fairbanks /Judy Garland /William Cameron Menzies /Motion Picture Relief Fund (Jean Hersholt ,Ralph Morgan ,Ralph Block ,Conrad Nagel ) /Technicolor SA (1939)Bob Hope /Nathan Levinson (1940)Walt Disney ,William Garity , John N. A. Hawkins, and theRCA Manufacturing Company /Leopold Stokowski and his associates / Rey Scott /British Ministry of Information (1941)Charles Boyer /Noël Coward /Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (1942)George Pal (1943)Bob Hope /Margaret O'Brien (1944)Republic Studio,Daniel J. Bloomberg , and the Republic Studio Sound Department /Walter Wanger /The House I Live In Peggy Ann Garner (1945) Harold Russell /Laurence Olivier /Ernst Lubitsch /Claude Jarman Jr. (1946)James Baskett /Thomas Armat ,William Nicholas Selig ,Albert E. Smith , andGeorge Kirke Spoor /Bill and Coo Shoeshine Walter Wanger /Monsieur Vincent Sid Grauman /Adolph Zukor (1948)Jean Hersholt /Fred Astaire /Cecil B. DeMille /The Bicycle Thief Louis B. Mayer /George Murphy /The Walls of Malapaga Gene Kelly /Rashomon Merian C. Cooper /Bob Hope /Harold Lloyd / George Mitchell /Joseph M. Schenck /Forbidden Games 20th Century-Fox Film Corporation /Bell & Howell Company /Joseph Breen /Pete Smith (1953)Bausch & Lomb Optical Company /Danny Kaye / Kemp Niver /Greta Garbo /Jon Whiteley /Vincent Winter /Gate of Hell Samurai I: Musashi Miyamoto Eddie Cantor (1956)Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers /Gilbert M. "Broncho Billy" Anderson /Charles Brackett /B. B. Kahane (1957)Maurice Chevalier (1958)Buster Keaton /Lee de Forest (1959)Gary Cooper /Stan Laurel /Hayley Mills (1960)William L. Hendricks / Fred L. Metzler /Jerome Robbins (1961)William J. Tuttle (1964)Bob Hope (1965)Yakima Canutt /Y. Frank Freeman (1966)Arthur Freed (1967)John Chambers /Onna White (1968)Cary Grant (1969)Lillian Gish /Orson Welles (1970)Charlie Chaplin (1971)Charles S. Boren /Edward G. Robinson (1972) Henri Langlois /Groucho Marx (1973)Howard Hawks /Jean Renoir (1974)Mary Pickford (1975)1976–present
1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s
1953–1975 1976–2000 2001–present
Drama Musical or Comedy Motion Picture
1956–1975 1976–2000 2001–2020
Films Television Related Family
International National Artists People Other
