Gena Rowlands Has Alzheimer’s Like The Character She Played in ‘The Notebook’ Decades Ago

Gena Rowlands has Alzheimer’s, her son, director Nick Cassavetes revealed in an interview about the 20th anniversary of their film The Notebook. The Oscar-nominated actress, 94, captivated the hearts of audience members and critics alike in 1974’s A Woman Under the Influence, written and directed by Rowlands’ husband John Cassavetes. A new generation of movie-goers fell in love with the actress when she starred in The Notebook, based on Nicholas Sparks’s best-selling novel of the same name.

In a tragic twist of irony, Rowlands’ character in the movie also had dementia.

“She’s in full dementia. And it’s so crazy—we lived it, she acted it, and now it’s on us.”

Nick Cassavetes got candid with Entertainment Weekly about his mother’s condition. “I got my mom to play older Allie, and we spent a lot of time talking about Alzheimer’s and wanting to be authentic with it, and now, for the last five years, she’s had Alzheimer’s,” the acclaimed director said. “She’s in full dementia. And it’s so crazy—we lived it, she acted it, and now it’s on us.”

Critics praised Rowlands’ portrayal of Allie. Critic Jessica Winter of The Village Voice took issue with the film—but not with Rowlands’ performance. In her review, she praised Rowlands for “locating the terror and desolation wrought by the cruel betrayals of a failing mind.”

Sadly, before she even took her acclaimed role in The Notebook, Rowlands was no stranger to the devastating effects of Alzheimer’s. Rowlands’ mother also experienced Alzheimer’s. “I went through that with my mother, and if Nick hadn’t directed the film, I don’t think I would have gone for it—it’s just too hard,” the actress said in a 2004 interview with O magazine.

CNN has reached out to representatives for Cassavetes and Rowlands for further comment.

What Is Alzheimer’s?

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, the disease is defined as “a type of dementia that affects memory, thinking, and behavior.” Alzheimer’s accounts for up to 60-80% of dementia cases. Alzheimer’s and dementia aren’t necessarily the same: dementia is the general term for cognitive decline, while Alzheimer’s refers to a specific condition.

Symptoms may vary from person to person. However, symptoms often start a decade or more before cognitive decline sets in. Known as “preclinical Alzheimer’s“, this is the stage of the disease when brain changes first occur. Notably, not every person goes through preclinical Alzheimer’s. Let’s break down the differences between mild, moderate, and advanced Alzheimer’s.

Signs of Mild Alzheimer’s

• Losing or misplacing items
• Getting lost
• Difficulty with problem-solving
• Memory loss that affects the quality of life
• Poor judgment and decision-making
• Personality changes
• Increased anxiety/and or aggression
• Repeating one’s self often
• Struggling to remember their current location
• Difficulty completing tasks

Signs of Moderate Alzheimer’s

• Increased difficulty in recognizing family and friends
• Emotional outbursts
• Restlessness and anxiety
• Poor or decreased attention span
• Social withdrawal or isolation
• Increased memory loss
• Struggle to think logically
• Using vulgar language or undressing in inappropriate places

Signs of Advanced Alzheimer’s

• Weight loss or loss of appetite
• Inability to communicate
• Loss of faculty control; incontinence
• No awareness of their surroundings
• Dental, skin, and foot issues
• Sleeping all the time
• Seizures

Need help finding Alzheimer’s resources?

If you or a loved one are experiencing symptoms of Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia, consult a doctor as soon as possible.

For additional resources, visit these links:

Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Senior Resource Center

Alzheimer’s Association

National Institue on Aging