The actor from The Notebook was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s two decades after portraying a character with the same illness

According to her son, Gena Rowlands is experiencing advanced stages of dementia.

The actress, known for her role in The Notebook as the older Allie, has Alzheimer’s disease, as disclosed by her son.

Rowlands portrayed the elderly version of Rachel McAdams’ character in the 2004 film.

The movie, co-starring Ryan Gosling, centers on the romance between Allie and Noah, who confront familial pressures due to their differing social backgrounds.

As The Notebook marked its 20th anniversary on Tuesday (June 25), Nick Cassavetes, the 94-year-old actress’s son, shared the news with Entertainment Weekly.

“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.” Cassavetes said.

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

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s is frequently a primary cause of dementia, a term broadly applied to individuals experiencing various symptoms.

Typically, dementia symptoms include a decline in cognitive abilities that affect daily life and relationships.

While the precise cause remains unknown, Alzheimer’s is thought to be linked to factors like age and family medical history.

Rowlands’ mother and Cassavetes’ grandmother also suffered from the condition, influencing the actor’s decision to portray a character affected by it.

In a 2004 interview with O magazine, she reflected, “This last one — The Notebook, based on the novel by Nicholas Sparks — was particularly challenging because I portray a character who has Alzheimer’s. I experienced that with my mother, and if Nick hadn’t directed the film, I don’t think I would have taken the role — it’s just too difficult. It was a demanding yet fulfilling movie.”

While The Notebook remains one of Rowlands’ most prominent recent roles, she has had a distinguished career, garnering two Oscar nominations for her performances in 1974’s Woman Under The Influence and 1980’s Gloria.

Regarding The Notebook’s enduring impact, Cassavetes expressed his pride in the film’s legacy, noting, “It still holds up pretty well. It’s always surprising to realize how much time has passed, but it’s understandable. I’m just grateful that it exists and that it seems to have resonated with audiences.”

“I’m very proud of it,” the director concluded.