The Notebook actress Gena Rowlands’s son reveals his mother has Alzheimer’s

Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The Notebook star Gena Rowlands has been living with Alzheimer’s disease for the past five years, her son, director and actor Nick Cassavetes, has said. Rowlands, 94, starred as the older version of Rachel McAdams’s lead character, Allie, in the 2004 romantic drama – based on the bestselling Nicholas Sparks novel. “This last one – The Notebook was particularly hard because I play a character who has Alzheimer’s,” she said at the time. Gena Rowlands starred as the older version of Allie in ‘The Notebook’ Rowlands, who is retired from acting, had an illustrious career in film, TV and theater.