Gena Rowlands was one of those few movie stars that flashes so brightly and differently in the night-sky of American movies. This actress, who delivered some of the most honest and compelling performances on stage and screen for 70 years, died at 94. And so, without further ado, let us get to know this incredible performer and explore the role of the outsider in the story of Hollywood.
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A Star Is Born (And She’s Not Afraid to Cry on Camera)
Virginia Cathryn Rowlands came into this world July 19, 1930 in Cambria, Wisconsin. Being the only child of a banker turned state senator and an amateur painter, it initially appeared as if Gena was pre-ordained to lead a quite unexceptional life. In her childhood, she developed bizarre illnesses and stayed home which in turn helped her developed love for the silver screen.
Nobody could have imagined that those sick days would pave way for such a healthy career. It is like receiving sniffles from the cosmos and the response is, ‘Ok, kid, go out there and become a legend!’
From Stage to Screen: The Rowlands Ascension
Having done her graduation from the University of Wisconsin and thereafter learning at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York, Rowlands wanted to rule the Broadway. And conquer she did! Her big chance arrived when she was just 26 years old in Paddy Chayefsky’s “Middle of the Night” (1956). The entertainment industry in Hollywood did not take long to notice this export crop or rather the young innocent faces that were willing to do anything just to make it to the big screens.
But here is a place where our heroine deviated from the norm – a perfect zig when the rest of society would zig. After one movie, she demanded to be released from her studio contract – you guessed it right – she was pregnant. Most of the starlets of that time would abandon everything for a chance at stardom, but Rowlands walked away from it all to be with her family. What a great twist of events!
The Cassavetes Connection: A Match Made in Indie Heaven
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Come in John Cassavetes, the revolutionary director and artist who would turn into Rowlands’ spouse, colleague, and an artistic sorcerer of sorts. While the marriage of couple was begun in 1954, this was not merely the marriage of two people but the creation of new phase in independent motion picture production.
Together, they produced a number of rough, gutsy movies that pulled no punches and which didn’t copy Hollywood. It was like they opened the rule book one day and said “screw it lets make art”, These guys….
Breaking Hearts and Breaking Ground
It was this firm feeling and powerful creative direction of Gena Rowlands that gave some of the most gritty performances for the cinematic platform. She gave a truly defining performance in ‘A Woman Under the Influence’ (1974) portraying the role of an oppressed housewife who is possibly mentally unstable in most realistic terms that the viewer did not know whether to clap or call for a psychiatrist. This dazzling performance alone was enough to get her an Oscar nomination and the eternal admiration of film lovers.
But Rowlands wasn’t done. In “Gloria” (1980), she took on the role of a no-nonsense, machine gun-toting protector of a boy from the mafia. It was like seeing Mary Poppins before she started flying, The Godfather before he became a don and it earned her another Oscar nomination. Some people try to tell you that you can’t be a nice person and simultaneously terrify your audience.
Emmy-ing Her Way to Television Greatness
Yearning for more, Rowlands wanted to try her hand at television and make it a battleground for her as well. And oh boy, did she ever deliver! She bagged three Emmy Awards for various performances that often left one speechless.
Cobb played Betty Ford in the 1987 miniseries The Betty Ford Story in a way that made viewers think that she would rescue them from their own addiction right through the tube. Her roles in the movies “Face of a Stranger” (1991) and “Hysterical Blindness” (2002) also attest to her gigantic prowess in television.
The Rowlands Effect: Inspiring a New Generation
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The film has had an inspirational impact to a new generation. During these years, Rowlands remained more successful and captivating to the audiences as well as influencing more young talents. Cate Blanchett, no stranger to acting herself, went on to credit Rowlands with having the most profound impact on her. It’s like Rowlands was the cool aunt everyone in the acting world wanted to tap into and see how it’s really done. Woody Allen, the man of high standards and critical inclinations, has even referred to her as “incapable of an unreal moment.”
Keeping It in the Family: The Cassavetes Legacy
Rowlands was involved not only in front of the screen but also behind it. As for the three children, Nick, Alexandra, and Zoe Cassavetes, they also chose acting and directing as their career paths. That is definitely a family business!
In a fitting twist of fate Rowlands was cast in some of her son’s movies like the romantic film ‘The Notebook’ (2004). In it she portrayed a woman with Alzheimer’s disease, a fact that was to become horrifically prophetic in her real-life years later.
The Final Act: A Life Well-Lived
Rowlands continued to act in films for several years before she retired, except for few select films that aligned with her perception of good art. In 2015, she received an honorary Academy Award for her work as an actress, which kind of encapsulated her career: nontraditional but inspiring.
A programmed death after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease five years ago, Rowlands met her last act vividly much like she delivered her dances. Her demise is a loss of an icon in the industry since the Golden Age of Hollywood but her impact shall continue to be felt in America cinemas for decades to come.
Conclusion
Saying good bye to Gena Rowlands, it becomes apparent that the value of art should be in its genuine portrayal of emotions and life. She was more than just an actress; she embodied her characters on-screen and delivered performances few could rival.
Throughout her Broadway beginnings, her work with Cassavetes, and her career resurgence, Rowlands never ceased to challenge herself. She was living, breathing, and concrete evidence that art has no expiry date, and that the strongest voice comes from a heart.
Well then, to you, Gena Rowlands… May your spirit of fearless creativity go on inspiring actors, filmmakers and viewers for many years again. On the stage of life, you well danced your role and etched yourself into the memory of those you graced with your phenomenal ability to bring characters to life.
FAQs
Q1: What was Gena Rowlands known for in her acting career?
A: Gena Rowlands was known for her intense and compelling performances on stage and screen over a 70-year career. She was particularly recognized for her work in independent films, often collaborating with her husband, director John Cassavetes.
Q2: What was unique about Gena Rowlands’ approach to her career?
A: Unlike many actresses of her time, Rowlands prioritized her family over stardom. She famously demanded to be released from her studio contract when she became pregnant, choosing family over immediate Hollywood success.
Q3: How did Gena Rowlands influence other actors?
A: Rowlands inspired many actors of younger generations. For example, Cate Blanchett credited Rowlands with having a profound impact on her career. Woody Allen reportedly referred to Rowlands as “incapable of an unreal moment” in her acting.
Adam Smith is a 2015 graduate of Parker University in Dallas, USA. After working over a decade as an additional writer at News article, he decided to start his own news publication. He mainly focuses on entertainment, Movies, Web series articles and editorials. He likes to listen to music and play Football in his free time.