Beloved actress Gena Rowlands has passed away at the age of 94, multiple reports confirm. Rowlands was celebrated for her roles in films such as A Woman Under the Influence (1974) and Gloria (1980), both of which earned her Academy Award nominations.
According to Deadline, Rowlands died on the afternoon of August 14 at her home in Indian Wells, California, surrounded by her family. While no cause of death was provided, it was known that she had been battling Alzheimer’s disease.
Throughout her career, Rowlands won four Primetime Emmys and two Golden Globes, becoming best known for her collaborations with esteemed directors like her former husband, John Cassavetes, and Woody Allen. Check out how to stream her most iconic performances in movies.
How to stream Gena Rowlands’ most iconic movies
Opening Night (1977)
Stream on: Max, The Criterion Channel
Directed by John Cassavetes, Opening Night stars Rowlands as Myrtle Gordon, an aging stage actress grappling with the pressures of her career and the realization of her mortality. After witnessing a fan’s tragic accident, Myrtle begins to spiral into a psychological crisis, blurring the lines between her life and the character she portrays on stage. The film also features Ben Gazzara and John Cassavetes in supporting roles.
Gloria (1980)
Stream on: Tubi (free with ads)
In Gloria, also directed by John Cassavetes, Rowlands plays the titular character, a tough and independent former gangster’s girlfriend who finds herself on the run with a young boy whose family has been murdered by the mob. As they navigate the dangers of New York City, Gloria becomes an unlikely protector and maternal figure to the boy, showcasing Rowlands’ powerful and layered performance.
A Woman Under the Influence (1974)
Stream on: Max, AppleTV+ and The Criterion Channel
John Cassavetes’s A Woman Under the Influence stars Rowlands as Mabel Longhetti, a housewife struggling with mental illness. Her erratic behavior strains her relationship with her husband, Nick (played by Peter Falk), and leads to devastating consequences for their family. The film is a raw and unflinching portrayal of mental illness and marital strain, with Rowlands delivering one of her most acclaimed performances, earning her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress.
Husbands (1970)
Stream on: Prime Video, AppleTV+
Husbands is a drama directed by John Cassavetes that follows three middle-aged friends—played by Cassavetes, Ben Gazzara, and Peter Falk—who embark on a wild, impulsive journey after the death of a close friend. The film explores themes of grief, masculinity, and midlife crisis as the characters seek to escape their suburban lives through drinking, gambling, and reckless behavior. Rowlands makes a brief appearance.
The Notebook (2004)
Stream on: Fubo
Directed by Nick Cassavetes, The Notebook is a romantic drama based on the novel by Nicholas Sparks. The film tells the story of a young couple, Noah (Ryan Gosling) and Allie (Rachel McAdams), who fall deeply in love during the 1940s. Their relationship is tested by social class differences and life’s hardships, but their love endures over time. Rowlands plays the older version of Allie, who is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, while James Garner plays the older Noah.
Tempest (1982)
Stream on: AppleTV+ and The Criterion Channel
Directed by Paul Mazursky, Tempest is a modern reimagining of Shakespeare’s The Tempest. The film follows Philip Dimitrius, played by John Cassavetes, a successful architect who becomes disillusioned with his life and career. Seeking escape, he moves to a remote Greek island with his daughter Miranda (Molly Ringwald) and his mistress Aretha (Susan Sarandon). There, Philip attempts to find peace and meaning in his life while contending with his estranged wife Antonia, portrayed by Rowlands, who comes to the island seeking reconciliation.
