History of Gena Rowlands in Timeline
Gena Rowlands is a highly acclaimed American actress with a career spanning over six decades. Known for her powerful performances, she has won numerous awards, including four Emmys, two Golden Globes, and a Silver Bear. Rowlands is particularly celebrated for her collaborations with her husband, John Cassavetes, appearing in ten of his films. Her notable roles in "A Woman Under the Influence" and "Gloria" earned her Academy Award nominations. She also received critical praise for her work in Woody Allen's "Another Woman" and her son's film, "The Notebook." In 2015, Rowlands was honored with an Honorary Academy Award for her exceptional contributions to cinema.
June 19, 1930: Birth of Gena Rowlands
Virginia Cathryn "Gena" Rowlands was born on June 19, 1930.
1939: Rowlands Family Moves to Washington, D.C.
The Rowlands family moved to Washington, D.C. in 1939 due to Edwin Rowlands' appointment to the United States Department of Agriculture.
1942: Relocation to Milwaukee, Wisconsin
In 1942, the Rowlands family relocated to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, when Edwin was appointed as branch manager of the Office of Price Administration.
1947: Gena Rowlands Attends the University of Wisconsin
From 1947 to 1950, Gena Rowlands studied at the University of Wisconsin, where she was known for her beauty and popularity.
April 9, 1954: Marriage to John Cassavetes
Gena Rowlands married John Cassavetes on April 9, 1954, after they met as students at the American Academy at Carnegie Hall.
1954: Television Debut in "Top Secret"
Gena Rowlands made her television debut in the syndicated TV series "Top Secret", which ran for 26 episodes from 1954 to 1955.
1955: Guest Appearances in Anthology Television Series
Throughout 1955, Gena Rowlands made notable guest appearances in several anthology television series, including "Robert Montgomery Presents", "Armstrong Circle Theatre", "Studio One", "Appointment with Adventure", "The United States Steel Hour", and "Goodyear Television Playhouse".
1956: Broadway Debut and Performance in "Middle of the Night"
Gena Rowlands made her Broadway debut in "The Seven Year Itch" and subsequently starred in the Broadway play "Middle of the Night" alongside Edward G. Robinson in 1956.
1958: Film Debut in "The High Cost of Loving"
Gena Rowlands made her film debut in the movie "The High Cost of Loving" in 1958.
1959: Appearances in Western and Detective Series
In 1959, Gena Rowlands appeared in various television series: the Western series "Laramie", the detective series "Johnny Staccato" alongside her husband John Cassavetes, and the Western series "Riverboat" starring Darren McGavin.
1961: Roles in "The Islanders" and "Target: The Corruptors!"
Gena Rowlands showcased her acting range in 1961 by appearing in the adventure series "The Islanders", set in the South Pacific, and the series "Target: The Corruptors!", starring Stephen McNally.
1962: Starring Role in "Lonely Are the Brave"
In 1962, Gena Rowlands starred in the film "Lonely Are the Brave", directed by David Miller and also featuring Kirk Douglas and Walter Matthau, playing the former lover of Kirk Douglas' character.
1963: Collaboration with John Cassavetes in "A Child Is Waiting"
Gena Rowlands and John Cassavetes began their film collaborations in 1963 with "A Child Is Waiting", marking the first of ten films they would make together.
1963: Guest Appearances in Various Television Shows
Gena Rowlands had a busy year in television in 1963, with guest appearances on "The Lloyd Bridges Show", "77 Sunset Strip", "Kraft Suspense Theatre", the Westerns "Bonanza" and "The Virginian", and "Breaking Point".
1964: Guest Roles in "Dr. Kildare" and "Burke's Law"
In 1964, Gena Rowlands took on guest roles in the medical drama "Dr. Kildare" and two episodes of the legal drama "Burke's Law".
1967: Role as Adrienne Van Leyden in "Peyton Place"
Gena Rowlands joined the cast of the prime-time ABC soap opera "Peyton Place" in 1967, portraying the character of socialite Adrienne Van Leyden.
1968: Release of "Faces"
Gena Rowlands and John Cassavetes continued their collaboration with the release of "Faces" in 1968.
1969: Release of "Machine Gun McCain"
Gena Rowlands and John Cassavetes' collaboration continued with the release of "Machine Gun McCain" in 1969.
1971: Release of "Minnie and Moskowitz"
Gena Rowlands and John Cassavetes worked together again on the film "Minnie and Moskowitz", released in 1971.
1974: Release of "A Woman Under the Influence"
Gena Rowlands and John Cassavetes collaborated on the film "A Woman Under the Influence", which was released in 1974.
1974: Academy Award Nomination for "A Woman Under the Influence"
Gena Rowlands received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress for her role in the movie "A Woman Under the Influence" in 1974.
1976: Release of "Two-Minute Warning"
The film "Two-Minute Warning", featuring Gena Rowlands, was released in 1976.
1977: Release of "Opening Night"
Gena Rowlands starred in the film "Opening Night", which was released in 1977.
1977: Silver Bear Award for Best Actress
Gena Rowlands won the Silver Bear for Best Actress for her performance in "Opening Night" in 1977.
1979: Role as Bette Davis's Daughter in "Strangers"
Gena Rowlands, a self-proclaimed fan of Bette Davis, played the role of Davis's daughter in the 1979 made-for-TV film "Strangers".
1980: Release of "Gloria"
"Gloria", a film starring Gena Rowlands, was released in 1980.
1980: Academy Award Nomination for "Gloria"
In 1980, Gena Rowlands was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in "Gloria".
1982: Release of "Tempest"
Gena Rowlands appeared in the film "Tempest", which was released in 1982.
1984: Release of "Love Streams"
Gena Rowlands and John Cassavetes collaborated on the film "Love Streams", released in 1984.
1985: Critically Acclaimed Role in "An Early Frost"
Gena Rowlands received critical acclaim for her performance as the mother in the made-for-TV movie "An Early Frost" in 1985.
1987: Emmy Award for "The Betty Ford Story"
Gena Rowlands won an Emmy Award for her portrayal of former First Lady Betty Ford in the made-for-TV movie "The Betty Ford Story" in 1987.
1988: Gena Rowlands Stars in Woody Allen's "Another Woman"
Gena Rowlands starred in Woody Allen's film "Another Woman" in 1988.
1988: Gena Rowlands Stars in "Another Woman"
In 1988, Gena Rowlands portrayed Marion Post, a middle-aged professor on a journey of self-discovery, in Woody Allen's dramatic film "Another Woman".
February 3, 1989: Death of John Cassavetes
John Cassavetes, Gena Rowlands' husband, passed away on February 3, 1989.
2002: Emmy Award for "Hysterical Blindness"
Gena Rowlands won her third Emmy Award for her performance in the HBO movie "Hysterical Blindness" in 2002.
2004: Daytime Emmy Award and Role in "The Notebook"
In 2004, Gena Rowlands appeared in "The Notebook", directed by her son, and won her first Daytime Emmy for her role as Mrs. Evelyn Ritchie in "The Incredible Mrs. Ritchie".
2004: Gena Rowlands Appears in "The Notebook"
Gena Rowlands appeared in the film "The Notebook", directed by her son Nick Cassavetes, in 2004.
2005: Role in "The Skeleton Key"
Gena Rowlands starred in the gothic thriller "The Skeleton Key" in 2005, alongside Kate Hudson, Peter Sarsgaard, and John Hurt.
2007: Supporting Role in "Broken English"
Gena Rowlands had a supporting role in the independent American film "Broken English" in 2007, which was written and directed by her daughter, Zoe Cassavetes.
2009: Guest Appearance on "Monk"
In 2009, Gena Rowlands made a guest appearance in an episode of the television series "Monk" titled "Mr. Monk and the Lady Next Door".
March 2, 2010: Guest Appearance on "NCIS"
Gena Rowlands made a guest appearance on the television series "NCIS" on March 2, 2010, playing the role of Leroy Jethro Gibbs' former mother-in-law who becomes involved in a murder investigation.
2012: Marriage to Robert Forrest
Gena Rowlands married retired businessman Robert Forrest in 2012.
2014: Starring Role in "Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks"
Gena Rowlands starred in the film adaptation of "Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks" in 2014.
January 2015: Gena Rowlands Receives Lifetime Achievement Award and Honorary Oscar
In January 2015, Gena Rowlands' contributions to film were recognized with two prestigious honors. The Los Angeles Film Critics Association bestowed upon her a lifetime achievement award, while the Academy Awards board of governors chose her to receive an Honorary Academy Award. The latter was presented at the Governors Awards ceremony, where she was lauded by Laura Linney and Cate Blanchett, and her son, Nick Cassavetes, had the privilege of presenting her with the award. The Academy's press release celebrated Rowlands as "an original talent" whose dedication to her work had solidified her place as a globally recognized "independent film icon."
November 2015: Gena Rowlands Receives Honorary Academy Award
In November 2015, Gena Rowlands received an Honorary Academy Award for her unique screen performances.
2015: Gena Rowlands Announces Retirement
Gena Rowlands publicly announced her retirement from acting in 2015.
2021: Richard Brody's Recognition of Gena Rowlands
In 2021, Richard Brody of The New Yorker hailed Gena Rowlands as "The most important and original movie actor of the past half century-plus."
June 24, 2024: Nick Cassavetes Reveals Gena Rowlands' Alzheimer's Diagnosis
On June 24, 2024, Nick Cassavetes publicly disclosed that Gena Rowlands had been living with Alzheimer's disease for the past five years.