Fans left ‘beyond devastated’ following the passing of acclaimed actress Gena Rowlands

Fans have turned out in droves to pay tribute to acclaimed actress Gena Rowlands who sadly passed away at the age of 94, one describing her as “one of the greatest actors to ever grace the screen”.

Rowlands starred in numerous films throughout a career that began on stage and television in the 1950s, including award-winning roles in movies directed by her first husband, John Cassavetes, who was an actor, writer, and director.

Although the cause of death has not been disclosed, her son, Nick Cassavetes, had previously revealed that she was living with Alzheimer’s.

Born on June 19, 1930, Rowlands began her acting career on stage with repertory theatre and made her Broadway debut in The Seven Year Itch. She gained recognition in the play Middle of the Night and appeared in numerous TV series, including Top Secret and Johnny Staccato. Her film debut was in The High Cost of Loving in 1958 and she later starred in Lonely Are the Brave in 1962.

Rowlands is best known for her collaborations with her husband on films such as Faces (1968), A Woman Under the Influence (1974), and Gloria (1980), earning Academy Award nominations for the latter two.

In her later career, Rowlands won an Emmy for The Betty Ford Story (1987) and starred in Woody Allen’s Another Woman (1988). Her notable performances include The Notebook (2004) and The Skeleton Key (2005). She continued to act into the 2010s, with appearances in Broken English (2007) and Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks (2014), before retiring from acting.

Fans were left “devastated” as news broke of Rowland’s passing, many taking to social media to pay tribute and reflect on her most iconic performances.

RIP Gena Rowlands (1930-2024)

Gena Rowlands’ performance in John Cassavetes’ “A Woman Under the Influence” (1974) is one of the greatest of all time.

Long live her fame! pic.twitter.com/QxQVKZhkaB

— DepressedBergman (@DannyDrinksWine) August 15, 2024

RIP Gena Rowlands. One of the few performers who I could actively make a case for as one of the greatest actors to ever do it. Your performances in Opening Night and A Women Under the Influence are some of the greatest committed to celluloid pic.twitter.com/2vbqidYJtK

— Joshua Gynther (@joshuagynther) August 15, 2024

rest in peace, Gena Rowlands. one of the greatest actors to ever grace the screen. pic.twitter.com/ESXhuUODZE

— The Cinegogue (@TheCinegogue) August 15, 2024

It was a tremendous honor to have worked with Gena Rowlands. Her performance in A Woman Under the Influence is one of the greatest ever captured on film. Gena shared incredible stories about being penniless at the height of fame, all in the pursuit of art. Rest in glory, Gena! pic.twitter.com/logj4ka932

— D.j. Caruso (@Deejaycar) August 15, 2024

Damn. I have always loved Gena Rowlands, perhaps never more so than the badass she plays in Gloria, a role written and directed by husband John Cassavetes. Also, she wears Ungaro throughout the movie and looks amazing. Rest in peace to a great actress … pic.twitter.com/GkvgrBefKu

— 🌻🌻 Laurie Brookins 🌻🌻 (@StyleWriterNYC) August 15, 2024

Gena Rowlands was a phenomenal talent who changed the acting scene through her talent, strength, and vulnerability. She was always a captivating watch who told entire histories of characters in little movements and mannerisms.

So it goes. pic.twitter.com/eUAwq4aMXi

— Rob Dean (@neuroticmonkey) August 15, 2024

I’m beyond devastated. Gena Rowlands will always be one of my heroes, and seeing her in A WOMAN UNDER THE INFLUENCE (‘74) changed my life completely. I’d never seen a screen portrayal so similar to my mom, and I wrote Gena an emotional letter which she so graciously replied to. pic.twitter.com/JSUj4eEgEJ

— Samantha Richardson 💕 (@classicfilmgeek) August 15, 2024

Rowlands is survived by her children, Nick, Zoe and Alexandra, several grandchildren and her second husband, Robert Forrest.

-with Reuters.