Gena Rowlands, the acclaimed American actress, had been married to Robert Forrest, following the passing of her first husband, the legendary director John Cassavetes.
Rowlands and Cassavetes shared a deep personal and professional relationship that left a huge mark on the world of cinema.
The couple first crossed paths while studying drama at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, leading to their marriage in 1954.
Their collaboration blossomed into some of the most critically acclaimed films in history, with Rowlands starring in many of Cassavetes’ directorial works, including the masterpieces A Woman Under the Influence and Gloria.
Unfortunately Cassavetes passed away at the age of 59 on February 3, 1989, due to complications from cirrhosis of the liver.
This marked the end of a significant chapter in Rowlands’ life, both personally and professionally.
However, she found love again with Robert Forrest, a retired businessman and a mutual friend of both Gena and John.
The couple married in 2012, nearly 23 years after John’s death, and enjoyed over a decade of companionship until Gena’s life came to halt on August 14, 2024.
At 94 Gena succumbed to Alzheimer’s disease at her home in Indian Wells, California.
Throughout their marriage, Gena and Robert made several public appearances at notable events, such as the premieres of Rowlands’ films The Notebook and Hysterical Blindness.
While Gena and Robert did not have children together, Rowlands had three children from her marriage to John Cassavetes: Zoe Cassavetes, Alexandra Cassavetes, and Nicholas David Rowland Cassavetes.
