Gena Rowlands – best known from The Notebook – is sadly battling Alzheimer’s disease… heartbreaking news after portraying a key character with the same disease.
The son of the actress and director of “Notebook” Nick Cassavetes announced the news on Tuesday Weekly entertainment – all while celebrating the 20th anniversary of his beloved and iconic romance film… which he directed and in which his mother starred as old Allie.
NC says… “I got my mom to play the older Allie and we spent a lot of time talking about Alzheimer’s and wanted to be authentic about it, and now she’s had Alzheimer’s for five years. She’s totally demented. And it’s so crazy – we’ve lived through it, she’s played it, and now it’s our turn.”
Remember … the cinematic adaptation of the Nicholas Sparks‘ Romance novel played James Garner as Duke, a resident of a nursing home, who tells Genas Allie a love story … in which, of course, Ryan Gosling And Rachel McAdams.
At the end of the film, it turns out that Duke is actually the older version of Ryan’s character Noah… and he tries to help the older Allie regain her memories.
It’s a tearjerker, to say the least… and with this latest real-life twist, it’s twice as bad.
While The Notebook may be a little too close to reality for Gena and her loved ones, Nick told the outlet he’s proud of their flick… and that it’s still relevant two decades later.
He continued: “It’s always a shock to hear that so much time has passed, but it makes sense. I’m just glad it exists. It seems to have worked and I’m very proud of it.”
Gena – the daughter of the actress Mrs Rowlandswho was also diagnosed with Alzheimer’s before her death – received 4 Emmy Awards, 2 Golden Globes and 2 Oscar nominations before retiring in 2015.
She worked with her husband, the filmmaker. John Cassaveteson several occasions – including “A Woman Under the Influence” and “Gloria”.
A living legend, without a doubt.
